I have found that the Way of the samurai is death. This means that when you are compelled to choose between life and death, you must quickly choose death.

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It is a wretched thing that the young men of today are so contriving and so proud of their material posessions. Men with contriving hearts are lacking in duty. Lacking in duty, they will have no self-respect.

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It is a principle of the art of war that one should simply lay down his life and strike. If one's opponent also does the same, it is a even match. Defeating one's opponent is then a matter of faith and destiny.

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A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death.

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The deepest love is often hidden.

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Everyone lets the present moment slip by, then looks for it as though he thought it were somewhere else.

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

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Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate. Neither wisdom nor technique has a place in this. A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death. By doing this, you will awaken from your dreams.

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

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Nothing is impossible in this world. Firm determination, it is said, can move heaven and earth. Things appear far beyond one's power, because one cannot set his heart on any arduous project due to want of strong will.

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