The Hagakure: The Book of the Samuria was written by Yamamoto Tsunetomo (1659-1719) who was a samurai retainer of the Nabeshima Clan, Lords of Hizen province, who became a Buddhist monk when the practice of "tsuifuku: suicide of a retainer on the death of his lord" was disbanded. This book was made during the authors seclusion of a seven year period.
This book is abridged in its translated form, however, Im going to start posting quotes from the book that may or may not help you in your life, but that I find profound. I hope you enjoy.
PS. Please allow the only posts on this thread be quotes from the Hagakure. No comments please.
"The most honorable thing a samurai can ever do is a 2get. This should be his prime goal above all else."
"In the highest level a man has the look of knowing nothing. But there is a transcending level, and this is the most excellent of all. This person is aware of the endlessness of entering deeply into a certain Way and never thinks of himself as having finished. (pages 32-33)"
"... Master Yagyu once remarked, "I do not know the way to defeat others, but the way to defeat myself (pages 33)"
"Imitating another style is simply a sham (pages 34)"
"A man who makes a mistake once will be considerably more prudent and useful because of his repentance. (pages 35)"
"When the time comes, there is no moment for reasoning (pages 36)"
"Above all, the Way of the Samurai should be in being aware that you do not know what is going to happen next, and in querying every item day and night. (pages 36)"
Did somebody just say "Weeaboo"?
The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. To say that dying without reaching one's aim is to die a dog's death is the frivolous way of sophisticates. When pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one's aim.
"the wise man once said, in confidence of the fool, 'Frosted Butts' (pages 48)"
The sooner weeabii realize that the samurai were typically a brutish police force who went around collecting taxes and chopping off people's heads who didn't pay, then clung to a illusion of indefinite traditionalism while Japan was modernizing in the Meiji period, the better.