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You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour.
Miyamoto Musashi
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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.

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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.
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One must make the warrior walk his everyday walk.
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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.
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