By inconsistency and frivolity we stray from the Way and show ourselves to be beginners. In this we do much harm.

A warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm.

To give a person an opinion one must first judge well whether that person is of the disposition to receive it or not.

Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like.

Light matters should be dealt with seriously. Serious matters should be dealt with lightly.

The way of the Samurai is found in death.

Bushido is realised in the presence of death. In the case of having to choose between life and death you should choose death. There is no other reasoning.

In the eyes of mercy, no one should have hateful thoughts. Feel pity for the man who is even more at fault. The area and size of mercy is limitless.

Go ahead and gamble a lie. A person who will not tell you seven lies within a hundred yards is useless as a man.

The end is important in all things.

One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths.

I consider it an extremely dangerous doctrine, because the more likely we are to assume that the solution comes from the outside, the less likely we are to solve our problems ourselves.

I love you not because I need you, but because you have created a place in my heart for you.

By doing, I learn what to do. By going, I learn where to go. One day, by dying, I'll learn how to die, and leave the world and hope to land in light.

America and its demons Europe and its ghosts.

While looking for the light, you may suddenly be devoured by the darkness and find the true light

Blind mouths! That scarce themselves know how to hold A sheep-hook.

To pray is to listen, to move through my own chattering to God, to that place where I can be silent and listen to what God may have to say.

The Olympic Games were created for the exhaltation of the individual athlete.

May all our contemporaries stand beside their brothers and sisters in humanity. Each one of you is called by Christ and must be a missionary of the Good News in word and in active charity.

Laugh all you want. I know my own worth and don't need to prove it to someone who doesn't know theirs.