List of Samurai Quotes about Samurai Strategy, Tactics, and Character [Updated]
The samurai were fierce warriors and powerful politicians who ruled Japan from the 10th to 19th centuries. While the roles of the samurai changed over time, their essential characteristics and code of conduct remained unchanged for hundreds of years.
The samurai came to power in the 1000s, when the Minamoto clan established a military dictatorship called a shogunate. In the centuries to come, samurai clans rose against each other to claim territory, resources, and ultimate power over Japan.
The Sengoku, or Warring States period of Japanese history was fraught with near constant conflict between the most influential samurai clans. The fighting would cease with the reunification of Japan in the 1600s.
Years of peace followed Japan’s reunification and many samurai took on bureaucratic roles within the government. The samurai tradition would come to an end in the 1860s when the Meiji government reorganized and modernized the country.
While remembered for being deadly fighters, samurai excelled in writing, art, and other aspects of Japanese culture. Quotes from famous samurai and other writers offer us a glimpse into their minds.
Although samurai are now only history, their wisdom, bravery, and sense of honor lives on in the many words they have left behind.
Here is a list of the top samurai quotes. They are divided into several categories for ease of reading.
Miyamoto Musashi Quotes
Miyamoto Musashi is considered by many to be the most famous samurai in Japanese history. He was a skilled fighter and accomplished writer.
Thanks to his writing talents, we have access to Miyamoto Musashi’s thoughts about life as a samurai and about life in general.
Truth is not what you want it to be, it is what it is, and you must bend to its power or live a lie.Miyamoto Musashi
One thousand days of lessons for discipline, ten thousand days of lessons for mastery.Miyamoto Musashi
Immature strategy is the cause of grief.Miyamoto Musashi
The approach to combat and everyday life should be the same.Miyamoto Musashi
Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.Miyamoto Musashi
I choose to live by choice, not by chance.Miyamoto Musashi
You can only fight the way you practice.Miyamoto Musashi
No fear, no hesitation, no surprise, no doubt.Miyamoto Musashi
The sword has to be more than a single weapon, it has to be an answer to life’s questions.Miyamoto Musashi
There is even rhythm in being empty.Miyamoto Musashi
What is essential is to suddenly make a move totally unexpected by the opponent, pick up on the advantage of fright and seize the victory right then and there.Miyamoto Musashi
Yamamoto Tsunetomo Quotes
Yamamoto Tsunetomo was a famous samurai and writer living in the 17th and 18th centuries. He became a monk in his later life and wrote about his experiences as a samurai. His writings are some of the best evidence we have of what life was like as a samurai.
The following quotes from Yamamoto Tsunetomo illustrate the character of the samurai and the honor code by which they lived.
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 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 have no self-respect.Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness.Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Matter of small concern should be treated seriously.Yamamoto Tsunetomo
It is good to face challenges in your youth. He who has never suffered will not sufficiently temper his character.Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Quotes from the Bushido
The following are quotes from the code of honor each samurai lived by. This code came to be known as bushido, which translates to “the way of the warrior.” While no samurai was perfect, the code of honor served as a guide both on and off the battlefield.
Bushido emphasized loyalty, bravery, intelligence and other character traits.
I know nothing about surpassing others. I only know how to outdo myself.Bushido Code
Knowledge becomes really such only when it is assimilated in the mind of the learner and shows in his character.Bushido Code
Chivalry is itself the poetry of life.Bushido Code
Dishonor is like a scar on a tree, which time, instead of effacing, only helps to enlarge.Bushido Code
Human life has sorrow, they who meet must part, he that is born must die.Bushido Code
A samurai was essentially a man of action.Bushido Code
Quotes About Samurai Strategy and Tactics
Samurai were first and foremost trained military professionals. Battle strategy and fight tactics were essential to the survival and success of a samurai army.
Samurai leaders developed their skills from experts before them. The Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu inspired many samurai. Quotes from Sun Tzu and samurai lords are included here.
Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay the price.Sun Tzu
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.Sun Tzu
Engage in combat fully determined to die and you will be alive, wish to survive in the battle and you will surely meet death.Uesugi Kenshin
Ultimately you must forget about technique. The further you progress, the fewer teachings there are. The Great Path is really no path.Morihei Ueshiba
Quotes About the Character of Samurai
Samurai possessed strong morals and followed the bushido code of ethics throughout their lives. Honor, loyalty, hard work, compassion, and other positive traits were accumulated over the course of a samurai’s lifetime.
The following quotes illustrate the character traits samurai were expected to possess.
Study hard and all things can be accomplished. Give up and you will amount to nothing.Yamaoka Tesshu
Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.Morihei Ueshiba
Honor may not win power but it wins respect. And respect earns power.Ishida Mitsunari
As a samurai I must strengthen my character, as a human being I must perfect my spirit.Yamaoka Tesshu
Did anyone say “there weren’t a lot of calligraphic accidents.” ?
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