47+ Best Miyamoto Musashi Quotes: Exclusive Selection

Miyamoto Musashi, also known as Shinmen Takezō, Miyamoto Bennosuke or, by his Buddhist name, Niten Dōraku, was Japan’s greatest swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer and rōnin. Inspirational Miyamoto Musashi quotes will challenge the way you think, show how to move forward and transform your whole life.

If you’re searching for profound philosophy quotes that perfectly capture what you’d like to say or just want to feel inspired yourself, browse through an amazing collection of motivational Sun Tzu quotes, powerful Lao Tzu quotes, and top Confucianism quotes.

Most Famous Miyamoto Musashi Quotes

Determine that today you will overcome yourself of the day before, tomorrow you will win over those of lesser skill, and later you will win over those of greater skill. Miyamoto Musashi

To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead Miyamoto Musashi

Truth is not what you want it to be; it is what it is, and you must bend to its power or live a lie. Miyamoto Musashi

Anger. Control your anger. If you hold anger toward others, they have control over you. Your opponent can dominate and defeat you if you allow him to get you irritated. Miyamoto Musashi

In fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm Miyamoto Musashi

It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first. Miyamoto Musashi

Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death. Miyamoto Musashi

Determine that today you will overcome your self of the day before, tomorrow you will win over those of lesser skill, and later you will win over those of greater skill. Miyamoto Musashi

Do not let the body be dragged along by mind nor be dragged along by the body. Miyamoto Musashi

A man cannot understand the art he is studying if he only looks for the end result without taking the time to delve deeply into the reasoning of the study. Miyamoto Musashi

Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Miyamoto Musashi

True warriors are fierce because their training is fierce. Miyamoto Musashi

If you wish to control others you must first control yourself. Miyamoto Musashi

Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world Miyamoto Musashi

Control your anger. If you hold anger toward others, they have control over you. Your opponent can dominate and defeat you if you allow him to get you irritated. Miyamoto Musashi

If you wish to control others you must first control yourself Miyamoto Musashi

When you attain the Way of strategy there will not be one thing you cannot see. You must study hard. Miyamoto Musashi

All man are the same except for their belief in their own selves, regardless of what others may think of them Miyamoto Musashi

The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time. Miyamoto Musashi

The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things. Miyamoto Musashi

If you know the Way broadly, you will see it in everything. Miyamoto Musashi

Accept everything just the way it is. Miyamoto Musashi

Do nothing which is of no use. Miyamoto Musashi

You should not have a favorite weapon. To become over familiar with one weapon is as much a fault as not knowing it sufficiently well. Miyamoto Musashi

Never accept an inferior position to anyone. It is the strongest spirit that wins, not the most expensive sword. Miyamoto Musashi

The important thing in strategy is to suppress the enemy’s useful actions but allow his useless actions Miyamoto Musashi

Anyone can give up, it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength. Miyamoto Musashi

A bullet from a gun does not make a distinction between practice and combat. You are training to be one and the same way in your life Miyamoto Musashi

You must not be influenced by the opponent. Miyamoto Musashi

When you have attained the way of strategy there will be nothing that you cannot understand. You will see the way in everything. Miyamoto Musashi

You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain. Miyamoto Musashi

It is difficult to understand the universe if you only study one planet Miyamoto Musashi

When you cannot be deceived by me, you will have realized the wisdom of strategy. Miyamoto Musashi

Imitation is the surest form of flattery and failure. I am not interested with your talk about my ideas. I am more interested in applying them to your life. If you do not, then you are essentially not in accord with your own mind. Miyamoto Musashi

Get beyond love and grief: exist for the good of man. Miyamoto Musashi

The ultimate aim of martial arts is not having to use them Miyamoto Musashi

To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead. Miyamoto Musashi

If the enemy thinks of the mountains, attack like the sea; and if he thinks of the sea, attack like the mountains. Miyamoto Musashi

Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye. Miyamoto Musashi

When you decide to attack, keep calm and dash in quickly, forestalling the enemy attack with a feeling of constantly crushing the enemy, from first to last. Miyamoto Musashi Quotes

No fear, no hesitation, no surprise, no doubt. Miyamoto Musashi

If you know the way broadly you will see it in everything. Miyamoto Musashi

A man cannot understand the art he is studying if he only looks for the end result without taking the time to delve deeply into the reasoning of the study. Miyamoto Musashi

Approach the enemy with the attitude of defeating him without delay. Miyamoto Musashi