# A Book of Five Rings ## Metadata * Author: [Miyamoto Musashi and Thomas Cleary](https://www.amazon.comundefined) * ASIN: B001VLXNUQ * Reference: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VLXNUQ * [Kindle link](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ) ## Highlights It will seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first. — location: [130](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=130) ^ref-30956 --- You should not have a favourite weapon. To become over-familiar with one weapon is as much a fault as not knowing it sufficiently well. — location: [159](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=159) ^ref-55988 --- Do not think dishonestly. The Way is in training. Become acquainted with every art. Know the Ways of all professions. Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters. Develop intuitive judgement and understanding for everything. Perceive those things which cannot be seen. Pay attention even to trifles. Do nothing which is of no use. It is important to start by setting — location: [173](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=173) ^ref-12105 --- Both in fighting and in everyday life you should be determined though calm. Meet the situation without tenseness yet not — location: [190](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=190) ^ref-26364 --- recklessly, your spirit settled yet unbiased. Even when your spirit is calm do not let your body relax, and when your body is relaxed do not let your spirit slacken. Do not let your spirit be influenced by your body, or your body be influenced by your spirit. Be neither insufficiently spirited nor over spirited. An elevated spirit is weak and a low spirit is weak. Do not let the enemy see your spirit. — location: [191](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=191) ^ref-29276 --- When you cannot be deceived by men you will have realized the wisdom of strategy. — location: [197](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=197) ^ref-4829 --- The gaze should be large and broad. This is the twofold gaze "Perception and Sight". Perception is strong and sight week. — location: [206](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=206) ^ref-43955 --- It is necessary in strategy to be able to look to both sides without moving the eyeballs. — location: [209](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=209) ^ref-1234 --- When you take up a sword, you must feel intent on cutting the enemy. — location: [213](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=213) ^ref-4809 --- Above all, you must be intent on cutting the enemy in the way you grip the sword. The — location: [215](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=215) ^ref-25792 --- So-called "Yin-Yang foot" is important in the Way. Yin-Yang foot means not moving only one foot. It means moving your feet left-right and right-left when cutting, withdrawing, or warding off a cut. You should not move on one foot preferentially. — location: [219](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=219) ^ref-59246 --- Although attitude has these five divisions, the one purpose of all of them is to cut the enemy. There are none but these five attitudes. Whatever attitude you are in, do not be conscious of making the attitude; think only of cutting. — location: [222](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=222) ^ref-56373 --- When you master my Way of the long sword, you will be able to control any attack the enemy makes. I assure you, there are no attitudes other than — location: [237](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=237) ^ref-46511 --- This means that from the lower attitudes you hit the enemy at the instant that he attacks. — location: [244](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=244) ^ref-4162 --- Through this method you win by parrying the line of the enemy's attack. You — location: [247](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=247) ^ref-18593 --- "Existing Attitude - Nonexisting Attitude". — location: [259](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=259) ^ref-30488 --- The primary thing when you take a sword in your hands is your intention to cut the enemy, whatever the means. Whenever you parry, hit, spring, strike or touch the enemy's cutting sword, you must cut the enemy in the same movement. It is essential to attain this. If you think only of hitting, — location: [259](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=259) ^ref-10929 --- The timing of hitting before the enemy decides — location: [265](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=265) ^ref-56617 --- to withdraw, break or hit, is this "In One Timing". — location: [266](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=266) ^ref-54952 --- When you attack and the enemy quickly retreats, as you see him tense you must feint a cut. Then, as he relaxes, follow up and hit him. This is the "Abdomen Timing of Two". — location: [267](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=267) ^ref-42171 --- the spirit is to go in with your whole body. When you come to within arm's reach it becomes easy — location: [292](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=292) ^ref-31939 --- People tend to advance their head and legs quickly, but their body lags behind. You should stick firmly so that there is not the slightest gap between the enemy's body and your body. You must consider this carefully. — location: [295](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=295) ^ref-10048 --- Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men. — location: [343](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=343) ^ref-14824 --- Examine your environment. — location: [359](kindle://book?action=open&asin=B001VLXNUQ&location=359) ^ref-23778 ---