36+ Inspirational 'Hagakure' Quotes From The Book Of The Samurai
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To understand the Hagakure quotes, one has to know the background of Yamamoto Tsunetomo, a samurai, and his master Nabeshima Mitsushige from the Edo period in Japan.
Nabeshima Mitsushige was known for forbidding the ritual of junshi, in which, traditionally, a retainer had to commit suicide after his lord’s death. Quotes by the duo are found in the book titled Hagakure, 'The Book Of The Samurai', which describes the paths and the way that a samurai should follow.
These quotes have deep meaning that stands true to life even today. Wise quotes say life is short, so it's important to be true to life, and live for the moment, a sentiment that has been repeated in different ways by famous people time and again.
If you're looking for Hagakure quotes on honor, Hagakure quotes on selflessness, Hagakure quotes on conflict, Hagakure quotes on evil, Hagakure quotes on duty, and more, you've come to the right place.
If you enjoy reading 'The Hagakure: A Code To The Way Of The Samurai' quotes, why not look at Taekwondo quotes and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie quotes.
Inspiring Quotes
Everyone needs inspiration in life; why not look at them from a samurai’s point of view? Check out these awesome quotes from the Hagakure.
1. "Whether people be of high or low birth, rich or poor, old or young, enlightened or confused, they are all alike in that they will one day die.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
2. "You cannot tell whether a person is good or bad by his vicissitudes in life. Good and bad fortune are matters of fate.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
3. “There will be nothing else to do, and nothing else to pursue. Live being true to the single purpose of the moment.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
4. “To give a person an opinion one must first judge well whether that person is of the disposition to receive it or not.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
5. “Negligence is an extreme thing.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
6. “Tether even a roasted chicken.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
7. “Once there was a certain man who was very clever, but it was his character to always see the negative points of his jobs.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
8. “At times because of one man’s evil, ten thousand people suffer.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
Quotes About Life
These wisdom quotes help in making life more meaningful and simple.
9. “The end is important in all things.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
10. “Imitating another style is simply a sham.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo’.
11. “There are few people who will make mistakes with fire after having once been burned.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
12. “The deepest love is often hidden.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
13. “Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
14. “There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the present moment. A man's whole life is a succession of moment after moment."
― Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
15. “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.”
― Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
16. “It is bad taste to yawn in front of people.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
17. “You will be tripped up by people when your resolution is lax.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
18. “There are people who are good at manners but have no uprightness.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
19. “It is a mistake to put forth effort and obtain some understanding and then stop at that.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
20. “Throughout your life advance daily, becoming more skillful than yesterday more skillful than today.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
21. “Respect, Honesty, Courage, Rectitude, Loyalty, Honour, Benevolence.”
― Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
22. “When one is writing a letter, he should think that the recipient will make it into a hanging scroll.”
― Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
Quotes About Art
These Hagakure quotes on art help maintain focus.
23. "It is difficult for a fool's habits to change to selflessness."
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
24. “Singlemindedness is all-powerful.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
Quotes About War For Young Men And Women
These quotes are for warriors who have courage, understanding, and willingness to live life the samurai way. Read on for Hagakure quotes on revenge and Hagakure quotes about evil.
25. “As long as people overlook matters, then inferiors can, without any fear, lead an easy and peaceful life.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
26. “The Four Oaths: Never be late with respect to the way of the warrior; be useful to the lord; be respectful to your parents; get beyond love and grief: exist for the good of man.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
27. "The basic meaning of etiquette is to be quick at both the beginning and end and tranquil in the middle."
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
28. “There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. 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.”
― Tsunetomo Yamamoto.
29. “Neither wisdom nor technique has a place in this. A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death. By doing this, you will awaken from your dreams.”
― Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
30. “I have found that the Way of the samurai is death. This means that when you are compelled to choose between life and death, you must quickly choose death.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
31. “Bushido is realized in the presence of death. This means choosing death whenever there is a choice between life and death.”
― Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
32. “If a warrior is not unattached to life and death, he will be of no use whatsoever. The saying that “All abilities come from one mind” sounds as though it has to do with sentient matters, but it is in fact a matter of being unattached to life and death. With such non-attachment one can accomplish any feat.”
― Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
33. “Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate.”
― Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
34. “Only when you constantly live as though already a corpse (jōjū shinimi) will you be able to find freedom in the martial Way….”
― Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
35. “The Way of the warrior (bushido) is to be found in dying.”
― Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
36. “… Hagakure represents a mystical beauty intrinsic to the Japanese aesthetic experience, and a stoic but profound appreciation of the meaning of life and death.”
― Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
37. “Be determined and advance.”
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
38. "Relying only on cleverness and talents is a lower form of service."
- Yamamoto Tsunetomo.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for these inspirational 'Hagakure' quotes from the book of the samurai, then why not take a look at commitment quotes, or survival quotes.
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A diligent and driven mass communications graduate from Caleb University, Lydia has experience in media and a passion for digital marketing and communications. She is an effective communicator and team-builder with strong analytical, management, and organizational skills. She is a self-starter with a positive, can-do attitude.
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