Inspirational Sayings
The following are inspirational quotes and sayings that I use to spark thought in my students about our lives, budo, its study and how they both are intertwined. Some are my own and other are from those who have inspired me. Hopefully they will do the same for you, please enjoy.
"Never confuse another's silence and compassion for weakness"
-Don Ogle
“One’s life is limited, but his name, his honor will last for generations to come”
-Popular saying among Samurai warriors
Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of men of old, seek what they sought
-Basho
“Fight with the spirit and honor of the Samurai and the fist of the ninja”
-Don Ogle
A good solider is not violent. A good fighter is not angry. A good winner is not vengeful. A good employer is humble. This is known as the virtue of not striving. This is the ability to deal with people. Since ancient times this has been known as the ultimate unity with heaven.
-Tao Te Ching
One who is samurai must before all things keep in mind, by day and night...
the fact that he must die.
-Bushido
He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.
-Tao Te Ching
“Do not portray yourself as a good person, be yourself and if you are, everyone will know.”
-Don Ogle
“To conquer one’s self is a greater task than conquering others.”
-Buddha
When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it-this is knowledge
-Confucius
A good technique should not be measured solely by the power it can create but by how learning it changesw you as a person.
-Don Ogle
“There are three kinds of budaka: the ones who try to look strong, ones who try to perfect their technique and ones who try to gain a good heart.”
-Masaaki Hatsumi
“Find beauty in the effectiveness of a technique not the looks of a technique.”
-Don Ogle
“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. We need not wait to see what others do.”
-Gandhi
“The tighter you squeeze the less you have.”
- Thomas Merton
Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.
-Chinese Proverb
The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.
-Zen
He who knows others is wise. He who knows himself is enlightened.
- Tao Te Ching.
“Flow with whatever may happen, and let your mind be free: Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.”
― Zhuangzi, Nan-Hua-Ch'en-Ching, or,
the Treatise of the transcendent master from Nan-Hua
“All that we are is a result of what we have thought. The mind is everything.
What we think we become.”
-Buddha
