Here are really interesting Bushido quotes which reflect "The Way Of The Warrior" in martial arts and particularly Samurai culture. I don't want to just focus on honourable and glorious deaths and violence, Bushido was much more to life than just combat, here are ones I've picked out
My favourite quotes are in bold
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"The way of the Samurai is in desperateness. Ten men or more cannot kill such a man." - Tsunetomo Yamamoto - Hagakure
"It is not the Way of the Warrior [i.e., bushido] to be shamed and avoid death even under circumstances that are not particularly important. It goes without saying that to sacrifice one's life for the sake of his master is an unchanging principle. That I should be able to go ahead of all the other warriors of this country and lay down my life for the sake of my master's benevolence is an honor to my family and has been my most fervent desire for many years." Torii Mototada's last statement
"Engage in combat fully determined to die and you will be alive; wish to survive in the battle and you will surely meet death. When you leave the house determined not to see it again you will come home safely; when you have any thought of returning you will not return" Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki (1870-1966) on Uesugi Kenshin's beliefs
"There is no nation in the world which fears death less." - St. Francis Xavier (1506-1552) Jesuit leader.
Samurai were expected to be cultured and literate, and admired the ancient saying "Bun Bu Ryo Do" (文武両道, lit., literary arts, military arts, both ways) or "The pen and the sword in accord."
If a man does not investigate into the matters of Bushido daily, it will be difficult for him to die a brave and manly death" Kato Kiyamasa
"Yesterday they were enemies but today they are no longer so. If we cannot think of them as no longer enemies, then it cannot be said that we truly understand the spirit of bushido" - Nakayama Hakudo (1872 - 1958)
To smash, injure, or destroy is the worst thing a human being can do. The real Way of a Warrior is to prevent such slaughter — it is the Art of Peace, the power of love
When facing the realm of life and death in the form of an enemy's sword, one must be firmly settled in mind and body, and not at all intimidated - Morihei Ushiba (1883 - 1969)
In China there was once a man who liked pictures of dragons, and his clothing and furnishings were all designed accordingly. His deep affection for dragons was brought to the attention of the dragon god, and one day a real dragon appeared before his window. It is said that he died of fright. He was probably a man who always spoke big words but acted differently when facing the real thing. - Tsunetomo Yamamoto - Hagakure
The impossible becomes possible if only your mind believes it. - Chris Bradford, Way of The Sword
Each mistake teaches you something new about yourself. There is no failure, remember, except in no longer trying. It is the courage to continue that counts.” Chris Bradford, The Way of The Sword
“A samurai must remain calm at all times even in the face of danger.” Chris Bradford, The Way Of The Sword
“Impatience is a hindrance. As with all things if you attempt to take shortcuts, the final destination will rarely be as good and may even be attainable.” - Chris Bradford, The Way of The Sword
“Anyone can give up; it is the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone would expect you to fall apart, now that is true strength.” Chris Bradford, The Way of The Sword
“In the Kamigata area, they have a sort of tiered lunchbox they use for a single day when flower viewing. Upon returning, they throw them away, trampling them underfoot. The end is important in all things.” Yamamoto - Hagakure
“Be true to the thought of the moment and avoid distraction. Other than continuing to exert yourself, enter into nothing else, but go to the extent of living single thought by single thought.” Yamamoto - Hagakure
"seven times down, eight times up" - Chris Bradford, The Way of The Warrior
There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the present moment. A man's whole life is a succesion of moment after moment. If one fully understands the present moment, there will be nothing else to do, and nothing else to pursue. Live being true to the single purpose of the present moment. - Yamamoto - Hagakure
When an opponent comes forward, move in and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way. - Morihei Ushiba
"When facing the realm of life and death in the form of an enemy's sword, one must be firmly settled in mind and body, and not at all intimidated"
"Revenge is self-defeating. It will eat away you until there is nothing left." Chris Bradford, The Way Of The Warrior
“Tomorrow’s victory is today’s practice.” - Chris Bradford, The Way Of The Warrior
Rectitude is one’s power to decide upon a course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering; to die when to die is right, to strike when to strike is right.
Men must grudge money, for riches hinder wisdom. - Nitobe Inazo (1862-1963)
Fall down seven times, stand up eight
Selected quotes
"Engage in combat fully determined to die and you will be alive; wish to survive in the battle and you will surely meet death." Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki (1870-1966)
"Yesterday they were enemies but today they are no longer so. If we cannot think of them as no longer enemies, then it cannot be said that we truly understand the spirit of bushido" - Nakayama Hakudo (1872 - 1958)
When facing the realm of life and death in the form of an enemy's sword, one must be firmly settled in mind and body, and not at all intimidated - Morihei Ushiba (1883 - 1969)
“Anyone can give up; it is the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone would expect you to fall apart, now that is true strength.” Chris Bradford, The Way of The Sword
When an opponent comes forward, move in and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way. - Morihei Ushiba
Men must grudge money, for riches hinder wisdom. - Nitobe Inazo (1862-1963)
Fall down seven times, stand up eight
Source:
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=samurai&commit=Search
http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/275268-hagakure
http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/6221747-the-way-of-the-warrior
http://satsubatsu.forumotion.com/t158-bushido-philosophy-quotes
http://artofmanliness.com/2008/09/14/the-bushido-code-the-eight-virtues-of-the-samurai/
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