Miyamoto Musashi Quotes

My philosophy is the same as a Samurai: To hit without getting hit.

It is a principle of the art of war that one should simply lay down his life and strike. If one's opponent also does the same, it is a even match. Defeating one's opponent is then a matter of faith and destiny.

Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.

I would much prefer their minds to be engaged in the deadly arts than clouded with dreams of marriage and fortune, as your own so clearly is!

I have always said I am a five-dimensional fighter.

This is your sword. You press the pointy end into the enemy. Try not to let him make eye contact with you and remember, he spits invisible poison. (Thorn)

If you were a warrior, you would know that the worst thing one can do is confront human beings directly.

The Way of the warrior does not include other ways, such as Confucianism, Buddhism, certain traditions, artistic accomplishments, and dancing. But even though these are not part of the Way, if you know the Way broadly, you will see it in everything.

FACE A SINGLE FOE as if you are facing ten thousand enemies; face ten thousand enemies as a single foe.

Thirdly, the gentleman warrior, carrying the weaponry of his way. The way of the warrior is to master the virtue of his weapons. If a gentleman dislikes strategy he will not appreciate the benefit of weaponry, so must he not have a little taste for this?

The most part of all princes have more delight in warlike manners and feats of chivalry than in the good feats of peace.

Good technique includes quick changes, great variety and speed. It may be a system of reversals much like a concept of God and the Devil. In the speed of events, which one is really in charge? Do they change places with lightning speed? The Chinese believe so. To put the heart of the martial arts in your own heart and have it be a part of you means total comprehension.

The gladiator lays his plans after he enters the arena.

The laurels of victory are at the point of the enemy bayonets. They must be plucked there; they must be carried by a hand-to-hand fight if one really means to conquer.

Our strategy in going after this army is very simple. First we are going to cut it off, and then we are going to kill it.

The implication that there was something wrong with the war plan is amusing.

For ISIS, the answer is to cut off their food, their water, their armaments, you know, and their funding. I don't mean literally their food and water. What I mean is cutting off their life support system.

The best swordsman in the world may be disarmed by a trick that's new to him.

There is but one means to extenuate the effects of enemy fire: it is to develop a more violent fire oneself.

The first casualty of any battle is the plan of attack.

If you have a sword, and the Aielman has his bare hands, it is an even fight. If you're good.

She might be unarmed, but Rose Hathaway was in possession of many weapons.

If you hold your fire until you see the whites of his eyes, you will never know what hit you.

I am a fighter who walks, talks and thinks fighting but I try not to look like it

We were lavish of blood in those days, and it was thought to be a grand thing to charge a battery or an earth-work lined with infantry.