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Samurai phrases speak of one of the most important cultures and philosophies of all time. Furthermore, what really made these warriors special was not their combat skills, but the principles and values that inspired them.
Some of the great fighters were also magnificent thinkers and writers. They managed to capture the most important aspects of the worldview that prevailed among them. It is in this way that nowadays we have access to the phrases of the samurai that reveal their immense wisdom.
Three of the most celebrated warriors, who were also the creators of many samurai phrases, were Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Inazo Nitobe and Miyamoto Musashi. Below, we’ve compiled 10 of his most famous statements.
Samurai phrases created by Miyamoto Musashi
Many of the samurai phrases invite you to sharpen your senses and make the most of them. This one, for example, says the following: “Observation and perception are two different things; the eye that observes is stronger, the eye that perceives is weaker” . It was written by Miyamoto Musashi and contrasts the differential value between observing and seeing.
This other phrase emphasizes something that Orientals insist a lot on: not focusing on yourself. It says, “Think lightly of yourself, and deep in the world.” It means that we shouldn’t cling to these fantasies about ourselves and instead use that energy to think about the reality we’re in.
Combat is also present in many of the samurai’s phrases. This states: “Today’s victory is over your self yesterday, tomorrow’s will be over an inferior man”. It means that each time we overcome some weakness or error in ourselves, we are also prepared to overcome those who have that weakness or error.
Phrases by Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Yamamoto Tsunetomo is another of the figures who left their mark on many of the samurai’s phrases. In the following statement he talks about the importance of starting things with energy and strength so that vitality remains sufficient. Says: “If you throw without strength, seven out of ten actions do not come to an end.”
This other statement speaks to the importance of difficulties. It emphasizes that it is they and the struggle to overcome them that builds character. Yamamoto Tsunetomo said this way: “It is good to find difficulties in youth, because one who has never suffered has not completely built up his character” .
Phrases by Inazo Nitobe
More than an author, Inazo Nitobe is a great compiler of samurai phrases. Many of these teachings are of unknown origin, but they reflect immense clarity. This one, for example, speaks of the relationship between courage and tranquility. She points out: “The spiritual aspect of courage is evidenced by the composure, the presence of the calm mind. Tranquility is courage at rest”.
This other text talks about stoicism, the ability to be strong in the face of pain. To be resistant and always considered by others. It says: “The discipline of strength, which, on the one hand, teaches endurance without complaint, and on the other hand, teaches courtesy, demanding that we not spoil the pleasure or serenity of others by expressing our own sadness or pain” .
Another of the statements reads as follows: “Benevolence was considered a sovereign virtue in a double sense: sovereign among the multiple attributes of a noble spirit and sovereign in being particularly suited to the function of a sovereign”. In it, the philosophy of the samurai is very well reflected, who never separated the combat of power from goodness and spiritual values.
Bushido Phrases
In the work “The Way of the Warrior” or “The Way of the Samurai” there are a lot of statements that contain a lot of wisdom. All of them invite you to face life with courage and always keep your personal evolution in mind. This always takes place within ourselves and then reflects on the outside. It is a work that teaches the art of living well.
One of the phrases in this work reads: “When giving advice, you must first discern whether the other person is willing to accept it or not” . This is a valuable recommendation that reminds us that no one can be helped or guided if they don’t want to. Or as we say in a more modern way: don’t give advice to the one who doesn’t ask.
Another of the phrases says: “If you enter the unexplored path, in the end infinite secrets will appear”. It’s a nice way to invite not to fear the new or the unknown. Whenever we go into it, we end up learning valuable lessons.
Samurai are portrayed in cinema as incredibly skilled warriors. They were, but much more than that, their attitude towards life was that of someone who always wanted to be better and saw in spirituality the way to achieve this goal.
