The highest principle of strategy is to become selfless S

Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645) was a Japanese ronin (masterless samurai), philosopher, strategist, writer and artist. Here are 30 inspirational quotes and a brief bio:

Bio
Musashi, known as “Kensei” (Sword Saint), was born in Harima Province, Japan. Orphaned at seven, he mastered sword fighting, defeating his first opponent at 13. He later wrote “The Book of Five Rings,” a treatise on strategy, philosophy and combat.

Quotes

1. “Do nothing which is of no use.”
2. “The primary thing when it comes to strategy is to become the enemy.”
3. “Know your enemy, know yourself; your victory will never be endangered.”
4. “The way of the warrior does not include other ways.”
5. “Strategy is the craft of the warrior.”
6. “To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead.”
7. “In battle, consideration of the opponent’s disaster is the first clause.”
8. “There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter.”
9. “Adapt yourself to the situation.”
10. “The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time.”
11. “The primary principle of strategy is to think of others’ minds.”
12. “To attain the Way, forget the self.”
13. “Do not regret what you have done.”
14. “When in a state of tension, always keep cool.”
15. “The way to get things done is not to use force.”
16. “The most important thing in strategy is to be aware of what’s going on.”
17. “Perception is strong and sight weak.”
18. “Victory is in the preparation.”
19. “The best way to become a master is to imitate.”
20. “The path to strategic victory is to seize the enemy’s mind.”
21. “One must consider not only the immediate but also the ultimate.”
22. “To be able to govern others, first master yourself.”
23. “You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain.”
24. “The highest principle of strategy is to become selfless.”
25. “To win, you must be willing to loose.”
26. “The best way to keep good relations is never to get into an argument.”
27. “Strategy without principle is like water without a source.”
28. “The ultimate goal of strategy is self-perfection.”
29. “One must not be afraid of failure; one must be afraid of not trying.”
30. “When you have mastered the Way of strategy, you will be able to see through your opponent’s plans.”

Sources

1. “The Book of Five Rings” (Go Rin No Sho)
2. “The Book of Walking Step” (Heiho Kadensho)
3. “Dokkodo” (The Path of Solitude)

French Translations

1. “Ne faites rien qui ne soit inutile.”
2. “La première chose en matière de stratégie est de devenir l’ennemi.”
3. “Connaissez votre ennemi, connaissez-vous ; votre victoire ne sera jamais en danger.”
4. “La voie du guerrier n’inclut pas d’autres voies.”
5. “La stratégie est l’art du guerrier.”
6. “Pour gagner une bataille, il faut se battre comme si l’on était déjà mort.”
7. “Dans la bataille, la considération du désastre de l’adversaire est la première clause.”
8. “Il n’y a rien en dehors de vous qui puisse vous améliorer.”
9. “Adaptez-vous à la situation.”
10. “La véritable science des arts martiaux consiste à les pratiquer de manière utile.”
11. “Le principe premier de la stratégie est de penser à l’esprit des autres.”
12. “Pour atteindre la Voie, oubliez-vous.”
13. “Ne regrettez pas ce que vous avez fait.”
14. “Lorsque vous êtes tendu, gardez votre calme.”
15. “La meilleure façon d’accomplir les choses est de ne pas user de force.”
16. “La chose la plus importante dans la stratégie est d’être conscient de ce qui se passe.”
17. “La perception est forte et la vue faible.”
18. “La victoire est dans la préparation.”
19. “La meilleure façon de devenir un maître est d’imiter.”
20. “La voie de la victoire stratégique est de saisir l’esprit de l’ennemi.”
21. “Il faut considérer non seulement l’immédiat mais aussi l’ultime.”
22. “Pour gouverner les autres, maîtrisez-vous d’abord.”
23. “Il y a plus d’un chemin pour atteindre le sommet de la montagne.”
24. “Le principe suprême de la stratégie est de devenir altruiste.”
25. “Pour gagner, il faut être prêt à perdre.”
26. “La meilleure façon de maintenir de bonnes relations est de ne jamais se disputer.”
27. “La stratégie sans principe est comme l’eau sans source.”
28. “L’objectif ultime de la stratégie est l’autoperfection.”
29. “Il ne faut pas avoir peur de l’échec ; il faut avoir peur de ne pas essayer.”
30. “Lorsque vous avez maîtrisé la Voie de la stratégie, vous pourrez voir à travers les plans de votre adversaire.”

Haitian Creole Translations

1. “Pa fè anyen ki pa nou bezwen.”
2. “Premye bagay nan estrateji se vin ennemi.”
3. “Konnen ennemi ou, konnen tèt ou; viktwa ou pa janm nan danje.”
4. “Chemin lachin pa gen lòt chemen.”
5. “Estrateji se lachin.”
6. “Pou viktwa yon batay, fò ou goumen tankou si ou te deja mouri.”
7. “Nan batay, konsiderasyon dezast lanmè ki vin primè.”
8. “Pa gen anyen deyò nou ki ka fè nou vin pi bon.”
9. “Adapte tèt ou ak sitiyasyon an.”
10. “Syans veritab lachin se pratike yo pou yo vin itil.”
11. “Prensip premye estrateji se panse nan tèt moun.”
12. “Pou rive nan Chemin, bliye tèt ou.”
13. “Pa regret sa ou fè.”
14. “Lè ou nan tansyon, kenbe kalm.”
15. “Meilleur fason pou fè bagay se pa itilize fòs.”
16. “Bagay ki pi enpòtan nan estrateji se konnen sa kap pase.”
17. “Pèsepsyon fort ak gade ki fèb.”
18. “Viktwa nan preparasyon.”
19. “Meilleur fason pou vin mèt se imite.”
20. “Chemin viktwa estratejik se pran tèt lènmi.”
21. “Fò ou konsidere non sèlman ki imedyat