The Samurai (or bushi) were members of professional warrior clans who started to play a central role in the history of medieval Japan. As they rose in both social and economic stature, they increasingly became the driving force behind the production of many kinds of artwork and decorative art objects. Swords and armor, symbolizing military power, and garments and paintings made demonstrate that samurai were not only fierce but also intelligent and cultured. The samurai culture and values still live on today in many artists, thinkers, and warriors. Here are the rules for life of a samurai from past and present warriors and great thinkers who live Bushido. The quotes you’ll find below are some of the more inspirational and motivational from samurai, warriors, and practicers of bushido. #quotes #bushido #samurai “A samurai is a total human being, whereas a man who is completely absorbed in his technical skill has degenerated into a ‘function’, one cog in a machine.” – Yukio Mishima “Not to borrow the strength of another, nor to rely on one’s own strength; to cut off past and future thoughts, and not to live within the everyday mind… then the Great Way is right before your eyes.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo “A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo “You must concentrate upon and consecrate yourself wholly to each day, as though a fire were raging in your hair.” – Taisen Deshimaru “My philosophy is the same as a Samurai: To hit without getting hit.” – Lyoto Machida “The person who practices an art is an artist, not a samurai, and one should have the intention of being called a samurai.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo “To practice Zen or the Martial Arts, you must live intensely, wholeheartedly, without reserve – as if you might die in the next instant.” – Taisen Deshimaru “THE ART OF PEACE does not rely on weapons or brute force to succeed; instead, we put ourselves in tune with the universe, maintain peace in our own realms, nurture life, and prevent death and destruction. The true meaning of the term samurai is one who serves and adheres to the power of love.” – Morihei Ueshiba “It is a wretched thing that the young men of today are so contriving and so proud of their material possessions. Men with contriving hearts are lacking in duty. Lacking in duty, they will have no self-respect.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo “One finds life through conquering the fear of death within one’s mind. Empty the mind of all forms of attachment, make a go-for-broke charge and conquer the opponent with one decisive slash.” – Takenaka Shigekata “Once the will is resolved, one’s spirit is strengthened. Even a peasant’s will is hard to deny, but a samurai of resolute will convince many men.” – Yoshida Shoin “This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai: if by setting one’s heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way. his whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo “It is the very mind itself that leads the mind astray – of the mind, do not be mindless.” – Takuan Soho “Everyone feels fear. What a samurai or warrior is, is what you do when you feel fear.” – Enson Inoue “The Samurai is the first to suffer anxiety for human society, and he is the last to seek personal pleasure.” – Morihei Ueshiba “Ultimately, you must forget about technique. The further you progress, the fewer teachings there are. The Great Path is really NO PATH.” – Morihei Ueshiba “A samurai should always be prepared for death – whether his own or someone else’s.” – Stan Sakai “There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo “A samurai must remain calm at all times even in the face of danger.” – Chris Bradford “It’s actually the samurai spirit, which is ‘no fear and never give up.” – Enson Inoue “Mental bearing (calmness), not skill, is the sign of a matured samurai. A Samurai therefore should neither be pompous nor arrogant.” – Tsukahara Bokuden “Get beyond love and grief: exist for the good of Man.” – Miyamoto Musashi “As a samurai, I must strengthen my character; as a human being I must perfect my spirit.” – Yamaoka Tesshu “The undisturbed mind is like the calm body water reflecting the brilliance of the moon. Empty the mind and you will realize the undisturbed mind.” – Yagyu Jubei Mitsuyoshi “Some Warriors look fierce, but are mild. Some seem timid, but are ...
