it is easy to surpass a predecessor, but difficult to avoid being surpassed by a successor. Eiji Yoshikawa More Quotes by Eiji Yoshikawa More Quotes From Eiji Yoshikawa 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 sleep war art The greatest happiness of life was to stand at the difficult border between success and failure. Eiji Yoshikawa life-happiness success-and-failure borders Enemies were teachers in disguise. Eiji Yoshikawa disguise teacher enemy Not only must a warrior be strong with his bow, but he must have a heart full of pity for all living creatures. Eiji Yoshikawa warrior strong heart When a woman dislikes the man who is courting her, she parries him cleverly, like a willow in the wind. Eiji Yoshikawa dating wind men The summit is believed to be the object of the climb. But its true object--the joy of living--is not in the peak itself, but in the adversities encountered on the way up. Eiji Yoshikawa mountain adversity joy Danger was the grindstone on which the swordsman whetted his spirit. Enemies were teachers in disguise. Eiji Yoshikawa spirit teacher enemy It's no good to want to win still more when you have already won. Eiji Yoshikawa stills winning want Great character is forged through hardships. Eiji Yoshikawa great-character hardship character I wouldn't say Musashi is ordinary. But he is. That's what's extraordinary about him. He is not content to rely on whatever natural gifts he may have. Knowing he is ordinary, he is constantly trying to improve himself. No one appreciates the agonizing effort he's had to make. Now that his years of training have yielded such spectacular results, everybody's talking about his 'God-given talent.' That's how men who don't try very hard comfort themselves. Eiji Yoshikawa talking men years It is easy to crush an enemy outside oneself but impossible to defeat an enemy within. Eiji Yoshikawa crush impossible enemy Every act is an expression of one's self. Eiji Yoshikawa expression self action Sincerity, even if it speaks with a stutter, will sound eloquent when inspired. Eiji Yoshikawa inspired speak sound ...you're going to find people from all over the country, everyone hungry for money and position. You won't make a name for yourself just doing what the next man does. You'll have to distinguish yourself in some way. Eiji Yoshikawa names men country I want to lead an important life. I want to do it because I was born a human being. Eiji Yoshikawa born important want The line between life and death is not thicker than an eyelid. Eiji Yoshikawa eyelids life-and-death lines I want to dedicate myself to training and discipline. I want to spend every moment of every day working to improve myself. Eiji Yoshikawa training discipline want See, see how the sun has moved onward while we talked. Nothing can stop it in its course. Prayers cannot halt the revolving of nature. It is the same with human life. Victory and defeat are one in the vast stream of life. Victory is the beginning of defeat, and who can rest safely in victory? Impermanence is the nature of all things of this world. Even you will find your ill fortunes too will change. It is easy to understand the impatience of the old, whose days are numbered, but why should you young ones fret when the future is yours? Eiji Yoshikawa victory-and-defeat prayer world It's interesting, isn't it? Being in the world. Eiji Yoshikawa world interesting There's not much benefit in attacking an empty house. Eiji Yoshikawa empty benefits house
