If you want to learn the craft of war, ponder over this book. The teacher is as a needle, the disciple is as thread. You must practice constantly.
Miyamoto MusashiRead
You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Maintaining one's honor is more important than physical existence.
Miyamoto Musashi, a legendary swordsman, emphasizes the significance of personal honor over the mere survival of the body. This quote suggests that one's reputation and moral integrity hold greater value than life itself, highlighting the warrior's code and the importance of living a life of principles and values.
Themes
HonorIntegrityLifePrinciplesWarrior
In practice
Example use cases
During a commencement speech, a leader might use this quote to inspire graduates to uphold their values.
More from Miyamoto Musashi
All quotes →If you fail to take advantage of your enemies' collapse, they may recover.
Miyamoto MusashiRead
One must make the warrior walk his everyday walk.
Miyamoto MusashiRead
To cut and slash are two different things. Cutting, whatever form of cutting it is, is decisive, with a resolute spirit. Slashing is nothing more than touching the enemy.
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You win battles by knowing the enemy's timing, and using a timing which the enemy does not expect.
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In the void is virtue, and no evil. Wisdom has existence, principle has existence, the Way has existence, spirit is nothingness.
Miyamoto MusashiRead
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