When I journal in the morning I love feeding my soul with some inspirational wisdom and philosophy. When I wake up feeling sluggish or unmotivated, I tend to search for meaningful content and so over the years I’ve collected some of my favourite quotes from Miyamoto Musashi.
Who is Miyamoto Musashi?
Miyamoto Musashi, also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was a Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer and rōnin.
Miyamoto Musashi was born in 16th century feudal Japan. The exact year of his birth is debated. His accomplishments, however, are not.
At the age of 13 Musashi challenged an older samurai to a duel. His uncle, hearing the news, scurried to the agreed location and began to beg for his nephew’s life.
Ignoring the commotion, Musashi engaged his opponent and knocked him from his feet, before beating him to death.
This victory marked the beginning of a violent but prosperous career, during which Musashi fought over 60 duels. He won all of them. Later in life, he wrote The Book of Five Rings, a text that details his tactics, philosophies, and strategies. The following five quotes are excerpts from this masterpiece. I deeply resonate with all of them.
Miyamoto Musashi Quotes
The below six quotes are some of my favourite. The values of self improvement, independence, forward-thinking, and productivity are all communicated through these passages. However, confidence and self-assurance undoubtedly stand out as Musashi’s most prominent ideals. And I agree. The majority of problems people face today can be traced back to a lack of belief in one’s self.
“All man are the same except for their belief in their own selves, regardless of what others may think of them.”
– Miyamoto Musashi
“In battle, if you you make your opponent flinch, you have already won.”
– Miyamoto Musashi
There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, richer, stronger, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”
– Miyamoto Musashi
“Do nothing which is of no use.”
– Miyamoto Musashi
Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye
– Miyamoto Musashi
“Do not regret what you have done.”
Miyamoto Musashi
Final Thoughts
Sometimes I feel we are searching far too deep into what ifs and what could be’s when sometimes the wisdom that we need can be found in ancient philosophical scripts or books of wisdom. I’ve found that Stoic Wisdom from Marcus Aurelius or Seneca, as well as Asian wisdom from Miyamoto Musashi and Lao Tzu, have resonated much more with me than reading some of the more modern self help books. Not only is ancient wisdom based on pure experience and action, it’s also researched by many other authors and many successful people have implemented a stoic or “thinking before you act (Lao Tzu)” approach.
I hope these quotes have inspired you and have given you a different perspective of thinking. Which quote is your favourite?
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