7 Quotes by Yamaoka Tesshu

Thirst for victory leads to defeat; not tiring of defeat leads to victory.

If you want to obtain the secrets of such wonderful techniques, drill yourself, harden yourself, undergo severe training, abandoned body and mind; follow this course for years and you will naturally reach the profoundest levels. To know if water is hot or cold you must taste it yourself.

As a samurai, I must strengthen my character; as a human being I must perfect my spirit.

Do not think that this is all there is. More and more wonderful teachings exist...

The moon does not think to be reflected, nor does the water think to reflect, in the Hirosawa Pond.

The world is wide, full of happenings. Keep this in mind and never believe ‘I’m the onlyone who knows.’

Zen is like soap. First you wash with it, and then you wash off the soap.