The life of a samurai consists of mindfulness, agility, strength and calmness.
Do you have what it takes to be one? Or do you need some inspiration to be on the way to becoming one?
Whatever the case is, here is the ultimate compilation of best Samurai quotes that I could gather from various online sources. Enjoy your reading!
20 Best Samurai Quotes
1. “The way of the samurai is in desperateness. Ten men or more cannot kill such a man.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
2. “To be a samurai is to be fearless in the face of death; to live without regret, and to live fully.” – Unknown
3. “The perfect way is only difficult for those who pick and choose. Do not like, do not dislike; all will then be clear. Make a hairbreadth difference and heaven and earth are set apart.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
4. “The ultimate aim of martial arts is not having to use them.” – Miyamoto Musashi
5. “The mind of the beginner is empty, free of the habits of the expert, ready to accept, to doubt, and open to all the possibilities.” – Shunryu Suzuki
6. “If you wish to control others, you must first control yourself.” – Miyamoto Musashi
7. “To know ten thousand things, know one well.” – Miyamoto Musashi
8. “The true test of a samurai is not how he fights, but how he lives.” – Unknown
9. “If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.” – Confucius
10. “A samurai must remain calm at all times, even in the face of danger.” – Unknown
11. “The best fighter is not a Boxer, Karate or Judo man. The best fighter is someone who can adapt to any style.” – Bruce Lee
12. “It is not possible to control the outside of yourself until you have mastered your breathing space.” – Unknown
13. “The most important thing in life is to be yourself. Unless you can be a samurai, then be a samurai.” – Unknown
14. “If you want to be a great warrior, you must first learn to be a great man.” – Unknown
15. “The samurai must always be prepared for death, whether his own or that of his enemy.” – Unknown
16. “It is better to die than to live with a bad reputation.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
17. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
18. “Do not fear death. Accept it as a natural part of life and as a means of attaining ultimate freedom.” – Miyamoto Musashi
19. “Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.” – Sun Tzu
20. “The mind is everything. What you think, you become.” – Buddha
30 Honor And Loyalty Samurai Quotes
1. “The life of a samurai is one of loyalty and honor.” – Miyamoto Musashi
2. “A true samurai is always loyal to those beneath him.” – Unknown
3. “The samurai’s most important duty is to remain loyal to his lord.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
4. “Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice.” – Morihei Ueshiba
5. “It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.” – Japanese Proverb
6. “The true warrior is one who conquers himself and is ever ready to serve and protect his lord.” – D.T. Suzuki
7. “A samurai’s word is his bond.” – Unknown
8. “The samurai is always ready to serve and protect his lord, even at the cost of his own life.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
9. “Honor is the foundation of a samurai’s life.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
10. “The samurai never forgets the debt of gratitude owed to his lord.” – Unknown
11. “A samurai’s greatest honor is to die in service of his lord.” – Unknown
12. “The true warrior is one who stands for the good of all.” – Miyamoto Musashi
13. “Loyalty is the most important virtue a samurai can possess.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
14. “The samurai’s duty is to serve, not to question.” – Unknown
15. “A samurai must always be willing to defend his lord’s honor, even if it means sacrificing his own.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
16. “The samurai’s loyalty is like the cherry blossom – beautiful and fleeting.” – Unknown
17. “A true samurai remains loyal to his lord even in the face of adversity.” – Unknown
18. “A samurai’s loyalty is his greatest weapon.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
19. “A samurai must be willing to give his life to defend his honor and the honor of his lord.” – Unknown
20. “Loyalty is the foundation of a samurai’s character.” – Unknown
21. “A samurai’s loyalty is a matter of life and death.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
22. “A true samurai is always loyal to his lord, even in death.” – Unknown
23. “The samurai’s honor is his most precious possession.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
24. “A samurai’s loyalty is his armor.” – Unknown
25. “The samurai’s loyalty is not to his lord, but to the code of honor.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
26. “The samurai’s honor is not for sale.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
27. “A samurai must always act with honor and integrity.” – Unknown
28. “A true samurai serves his lord with his heart and soul.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
29. “The samurai’s loyalty is the foundation of his courage.” – Unknown
30. “A samurai’s honor is worth more than his life.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
30 Discipline And Self-Control Samurai Quotes
1. “A samurai must have the discipline to resist his own impulses.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
2. “Discipline is the foundation of a samurai’s character.” – Unknown
3. “True discipline is achieved through the mastery of oneself.” – Morihei Ueshiba
4. “The samurai’s greatest weapon is not his sword, but his discipline.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
5. “Self-control is the hallmark of a true warrior.” – Unknown
6. “A samurai must have the discipline to act calmly in the face of danger.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
7. “Discipline and self-control are the keys to mastering the art of war.” – Sun Tzu
8. “The true warrior has the discipline to endure the most difficult of hardships.” – Unknown
9. “The samurai’s discipline is like a sharpened blade – honed to perfection.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
10. “A samurai must have the discipline to remain focused on his goals.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
11. “Discipline is the path to mastery.” – Unknown
12. “The disciplined warrior is always one step ahead of his enemy.” – Miyamoto Musashi
13. “Discipline is the foundation of excellence.” – Unknown
14. “A samurai’s self-control is his armor.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
15. “Discipline and self-control are the keys to living a fulfilling life.” – Unknown
16. “The disciplined warrior is immune to distractions.” – Unknown
17. “A true warrior has the discipline to know when to fight and when to walk away.” – Unknown
18. “The disciplined warrior is always in control of his emotions.” – Miyamoto Musashi
19. “Discipline is the foundation of inner strength.” – Unknown
20. “A samurai must have the discipline to maintain his composure in any situation.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
21. “A samurai’s discipline is like the wind – ever-changing, yet always present.” – Unknown
22. “The disciplined warrior is always prepared for battle.” – Unknown
23. “Discipline and self-control are the keys to achieving greatness.” – Unknown
24. “A samurai’s self-control is his greatest weapon.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
25. “Discipline is the key to unlocking your true potential.” – Unknown
26. “A true warrior has the discipline to never give up.” – Unknown
27. “Discipline and self-control are the hallmarks of a great leader.” – Unknown
28. “The disciplined warrior is always striving for self-improvement.” – Unknown
29. “Discipline and self-control are the keys to mastering oneself.” – Unknown
30. “A samurai must have the discipline to remain true to his values.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
See also: 130 Islamic Quotes That Will Soothe Your Soul
30 Leadership And Strategy Samurai Quotes
1. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” – John C. Maxwell
2. “The true measure of a samurai is not in how he fights, but in how he leads.” – Unknown
3. “The mark of a great leader is the ability to lead by example.” – Unknown
4. “The art of war is not just about fighting battles, but about leadership and strategy.” – Sun Tzu
5. “A true samurai is not only a warrior, but a leader of men.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
6. “The samurai’s greatest weapon is his ability to inspire and lead others.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
7. “A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.” – Arnold H. Glasow
8. “A true leader has the courage to make tough decisions.” – Unknown
9. “The true samurai leads by example, not by words alone.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
10. “Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek
11. “A samurai must have the ability to lead and inspire his men to victory.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
12. “A leader is someone who knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way.” – John C. Maxwell
13. “A true leader has the wisdom to know when to act and when to wait.” – Unknown
14. “The true warrior is also a strategist.” – Miyamoto Musashi
15. “A samurai must have the strategic mind of a general.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
16. “A good leader inspires others with confidence in him; a great leader inspires them with confidence in themselves.” – Unknown
17. “The samurai’s leadership is founded on his ability to think and act decisively.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
18. “A leader is someone who sees greatness in others and helps them achieve it.” – Unknown
19. “The true samurai leads by serving others, not by ruling over them.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
20. “A samurai must be a master of strategy and tactics.” – Miyamoto Musashi
21. “Leadership is not about being in control. It is about creating a vision and inspiring others to follow it.” – Unknown
22. “A true leader has the ability to inspire and motivate others to greatness.” – Unknown
23. “The samurai’s leadership is founded on his ability to make the right decisions.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
24. “A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way, and then goes the way.” – John C. Maxwell
25. “A samurai must have the foresight to see the battlefield before the battle begins.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
26. “The true leader is not the one with the most followers, but the one who creates the most leaders.” – Unknown
27. “The samurai’s leadership is founded on his ability to understand his enemy.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
28. “A good leader takes responsibility for the success of his team; a great leader takes responsibility for their failures.” – Unknown
29. “Leadership is not about being the boss. It is about creating a vision and empowering others to achieve it.” – Unknown
30. “A true samurai is not only a skilled warrior, but a skilled strategist as well.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
See also: 200 Greatest Life Lessons Quotes To Live Your Best Life
30 Martial Arts And Combat Samurai Quotes
1. “The true samurai never underestimates his opponent.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
2. “Martial arts is not just about fighting, it’s a way of life.” – Unknown
3. “The true warrior is one who has mastered himself, not his opponent.” – Morihei Ueshiba
4. “Martial arts is not about brute force, it’s about finesse and technique.” – Unknown
5. “In combat, the samurai must be prepared to face any challenge that comes his way.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
6. “In martial arts, one must have the courage to face his fears and overcome them.” – Unknown
7. “The true warrior is one who fights not just for himself, but for his comrades and his country.” – Unknown
8. “In combat, the samurai must be prepared to use any weapon at his disposal.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
9. “Martial arts is not about competing with others, it’s about competing with oneself.” – Unknown
10. “The true samurai knows that victory is not always about defeating his enemy, but about achieving his goals.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
11. “The true samurai knows that honor is more important than victory.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
12. “In martial arts, one must have the patience to learn and the persistence to improve.” – Unknown
13. “The true warrior is one who fights for what he believes in, no matter the odds.” – Unknown
14. “Martial arts is not about winning or losing, it’s about the journey.” – Unknown
15. “In combat, the samurai must be prepared to adapt to his environment and his opponent.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
16. “The true samurai knows that discipline and training are the keys to success in combat.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
17. “In martial arts, one must have the focus to stay in the moment and the awareness to react to any situation.” – Unknown
18. “The true warrior is one who fights with both his mind and his body.” – Unknown
19. “In combat, the samurai must be prepared to make sacrifices for the greater good.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
20. “The true samurai knows that strength comes not just from physical prowess, but from inner fortitude.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
21. “Martial arts is not about violence, it’s about self-defense.” – Unknown
22. “In martial arts, one must have the respect for oneself and others to succeed.” – Unknown
23. “The true warrior is one who fights for his beliefs, not for personal gain.” – Unknown
24. “In combat, the samurai must be prepared to use his intelligence as well as his strength.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
25. “Martial arts is not about aggression, it’s about control and restraint.” – Unknown
26. “The true samurai knows that there is always something to learn, even in defeat.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
27. “In martial arts, one must have the humility to acknowledge one’s weaknesses and work to overcome them.” – Unknown
28. “The true warrior is one who fights with compassion and understanding.” – Unknown
29. “In combat, the samurai must be prepared to adapt his strategy to the situation at hand.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
30. “Martial arts is not just about physical skill, it’s also about mental toughness.” – Unknown
20 Enlightenment And Self Awareness Samurai Quotes
1. “The true samurai is one who has achieved enlightenment.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
2. “Self-awareness is the first step to enlightenment.” – Unknown
3. “Enlightenment is not just a destination, it’s a journey.” – Unknown
4. “The true warrior is one who has achieved inner peace.” – Unknown
5. “The ultimate goal of the samurai is not just to master the sword, but to master oneself.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
6. “Enlightenment is the key to unlocking one’s true potential.” – Unknown
7. “The true samurai knows that the path to enlightenment is not an easy one.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
8. “Self-awareness is the foundation of all personal growth.” – Unknown
9. “The true warrior is one who has conquered his own mind.” – Unknown
10. “The true samurai knows that enlightenment is not just a state of mind, but a state of being.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
11. “Enlightenment is not just about knowledge, it’s about wisdom.” – Unknown
12. “The true warrior is one who has transcended his own ego.” – Unknown
13. “Enlightenment is not just about personal growth, it’s about contributing to the greater good.” – Unknown
14. “The true samurai knows that enlightenment is not just a state of mind, but a state of being.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
15. “The true samurai knows that enlightenment is not something that can be given, but must be earned.” – Yamamoto Tsunetomo
16. “The true warrior is one who has found inner peace in the midst of chaos.” – Unknown
17. “Enlightenment is not just about personal growth, it’s about the growth of humanity as a whole.” – Unknown
18. “The true warrior is one who has found freedom in the midst of limitations.” – Unknown
19. “Enlightenment is the realization that everything is connected and interdependent.” – Unknown
20.”The true samurai knows that enlightenment is not just about achieving personal goals, but about living a purposeful life.” – Tsugawa Hiroshi
See also: 90 Inspiring Stoic Quotes To Bring You Peace Of Mind
30 Samurai Quotes To Think About
1. “You can always die. It’s living that takes real courage.” – Himura Kenshin
2. “Bushido is realized in the presence of death. This means choosing death whenever there is a choice between life and death. There is no other reasoning.” ― Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
3. “Summer grasses,
All that remains
Of soldiers’ dreams” ― Bashō
4. “Fighting isn’t all there is to the Art of War. The men who think that way, and are satisfied to have food to eat and a place to sleep, are mere vagabonds. A serious student is much more concerned with training his mind and disciplining his spirit than with developing martial skills.” ― Eiji Yoshikawa, Musashi
5. “New eras don’t come about because of swords, they’re created by the people who wield them. ” ― Watsuki Nobuhiro
6. “In the Kamigata area, they have a sort of tiered lunchbox they use for a single day when flower viewing. Upon returning, they throw them away, trampling them underfoot. The end is important in all things.” ― Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
7. “There is no greater solitude than that of the samurai unless it is that of the tiger in the jungle… Perhaps…” ― Jean-Pierre Melville
8. “Ghost Dog: In the words of the ancients, one should make his decision within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break through to the other side. ” ― Jim Jarmusch
9. “Rehearse your death every morning and night. Only when you constantly live as though you are already a corpse (jōjū shinimi) will you be able to find freedom in the martial Way, and fulfill your duties without fault throughout your life.” ― Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
10. “The Way of the warrior (bushido) is to be found in dying.” ― Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
11. “Blackthorne, beside the gates, was still turmoiled by his boundless joy at her reprieve and he remembered how his own will had been stretched that night of his near-seppuku, when he had had to get up as a man and walk home as a man unsupported, and became samurai. And he watched her, despising the need for this courage, yet understanding it, even honoring it.” ― James Clavell, Shōgun
12. “It is the genius of life that demands of those who partake in it that they are not only are guardians of what was and is, but what will be.” —Thomas Nō Kannon, The Lady and the Samurai
13. “Loyalty was the most fundamental of samurai virtues. Without loyalty there was nothing. To Kawakami, who had looked at loyalty from every possible angle – examining loyalty was, after all, his occupation – it had become increasingly clear that the days of personal allegiance were coming to an end. Loyalty, in the future, must be to a cause, a principle, an idea, not a man or a clan.” ― Takashi Matsuoka
14. “The katana has been the weapon of the samurai since time immemorial. Consider the inner meaning.
Our blade is honed only on a single edge. Why? It is because with the dull edge against our flesh, the katana becomes our shield. This cannot happen with a two-edged sword, One day, in the midst of a melee, you may owe your life to the dull edge rather than the sharp one. Let this contrast remind you that attack and defense are one.” ― Takashi Matsuoka, Cloud of Sparrows
15. “The true meaning of the ‘samurai’ is one who serves and adheres to the power of love.” ― Morihei Ueshiba, The Art of Peace
16. “Stories of military exploits were repeated almost before boys left their mother’s breast. Does a little booby cry for any ache? The mother scolds him in this fashion: “What a coward to cry for a trifling pain! What will you do when your arm is cut off in battle? What when you are called upon to commit hara-kiri?” ― Inazō Nitobe, Bushido – The Soul of Japan
17. “At times because of one man’s evil, ten thousand people suffer. So you kill that one man to let the tens of thousands live. Here, truly, the blade that deals death becomes the sword that saves lives.” ― Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure
18. “With regards to the way of death, if you are prepared to die at any time, you will be able to meet your release from life with equanimity. As calamities are usually not as bad as anticipated beforehand, it is foolhardy to feel anxiety about tribulations not yet endured. Just accept that the worst possible fate for a man in service is to become a rōnin, or death by seppuku. Then nothing will faze you.” ― Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
19. “The Samurai lived by a code of honor, not unlike the code that you live by. It’s called the Bushido. It was never written down; was always something the Samurai knew, and it was handed down from one warrior to another. One of the tenets of the code is about justice. Not the pounding of a gavel on the bench of some judge who’s been appointed to pass judgment on people by some politician. No, malaka, this concept of justice is what you feel in your bones: to die when it is right and to strike when it is right.” ― Kenneth Eade, An Evil Trade
20. “At the moment of victory, tighten the straps of your helmet.” ― Tokugawa Ieyasu
21. “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, The Book of Five Rings
22. “Only when you constantly live as though already a corpse (jōjū shinimi) will you be able to find freedom in the martial Way, and fulfill your duties without fault throughout your life.” ― Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
23. “Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily. Every day when one’s body and mind are at peace, one should meditate upon being ripped apart by arrows, rifles, spears and swords, being carried away by surging waves, being thrown into the midst of a great fire, being struck by lightning, being shaken to death by a great earthquake, falling from thousand-foot cliffs, dying of disease or committing seppuku at the death of one’s master. And every day without fail one should consider himself
as dead.” ― Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
24. “In my school, no consideration is given to anything unreasonable; the heart of the matter is to use the power of the knowledge of martial arts to gain victory any way you can.” ― Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
25. “Becoming the opponent means you should put yourself in an opponent’s place and think from the opponent’s point of view.” ― Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings
26. “Depending on one’s point of view, Hagakure represents a mystical beauty intrinsic to the Japanese aesthetic experience, and a stoic but profound appreciation of the meaning of life and death.” ― Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
27. “You told me once that being a samurai means “to serve”,’ said Jack. ‘That our duty is to our Emperor, our daimyo and our family. I didn’t understand at the time, but I now know what duty means. As samurai, we may have to kill, or be killed, if we want to protect those we serve and love.” ― Chris Bradford, The Way of the Dragon
28. “In our modern world, we look unkindly on mistakes and imperfection. But this is far from the samurai ideal. Mistakes are part of the learning process and if you haven’t made them then you are, indeed, dangerous because it means you have never learned anything. Mistakes, to a samurai, are the proof of your learning.” ― Alexei Maxim Russell, Instruction Manual for the 21st Century Samurai
29. “Being a samurai is all about selfless service and if the lord abuses the servant, it is no longer a situation of service; it becomes the situation of a victim. It is never acceptable for a samurai to be a victim. It is never acceptable to allow a lord to abuse you or rob you of your dignity. In such a situation, it is acceptable to walk away.” ― Alexei Maxim Russell, Instruction Manual for the 21st Century Samurai
30. “Bushidō is about experiencing life in every breath. Seeing life in the simplest of things. There is beauty and honor in that.” ― Renée Ahdieh, Flame in the Mist
Final Word
I hope that you have enjoyed reading these Samurai quotes, and that they have helped you find your inner strength to become one, or to work on becoming a better Samurai.
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