We have collected samurai wisdom and quotes here. It's always amazing to see how these centuries-old quotes are still relevant and applicable to life today. Is your favourite samurai quote missing? Then you are welcome to leave us a message in the comment field.
Are you interested in Japanese samurai fighters? You will find our Top10 of the most famous samurai in history here.
Samurai wisdom
Mental attitude (calmness), not technique, is the sign of a mature samurai. A samurai should therefore be neither pompous nor arrogant. (Tsukahara Bokuden, 1489 - 1571)
Life is not so important when one is forced to choose between life and integrity. (Yamamoto Tsunetomo, 1659 - 1719)
Metal is tested by fire, a man by what he says. (Takeda Nobushige, 1525 - 1561)
Defeat the self and you will defeat the opponent (Takuan Sōhō, 1573 - 1645)
An effective attitude is to be attached neither to the sword of the opponent nor to one's own. (Yagyū Hyōgonosuke, 1579 - 1650)
We all have a bit of weakness in us. In one way or another, we sometimes want something for nothing. But there is no such thing in martial arts. Rank, progress, status or degree is achieved through work and dedication and can only be maintained through consistency in practice. There is no shortcut on the path to mastery, only labour, sweat and pain. (Unknown author)
Not to be influenced by the opponent, his sword or his swordsmanship. (Miyamoto Musashi, 1584 - 1645)
You find life by overcoming the fear of death in your own mind. Empty the mind of all forms of commitment, attack in the sense of "all or nothing" and defeat the opponent with a decisive blow. (Togo Shigekata, 1560 - 1643)
Defeating evil, not the opponent, is the essence of swordsmanship. (Yagyū Munenori, 1571 - 1646)
