The shape of a woman

X. 5

Once, a certain man said, "I know the shape of 'reason' and 'women'. When somebody asked what shape these things were, he replied: "Reason is a square, and it will not budge at all. Women are round. Women do not discriminate between good or evil, wrong or right, and will roll into any position."

Hagakure

Samurai feminism

II. 117

Jin'uemon used to say "One should not bother bringing up daughters. They may stain the family name, and disgrace the parents [after they are married off]. The oldest daughter is special, but any others should be discarded".

Hagakure

The world is a dream

It is discerning to behold the world as if it were a dream. You want to quickly wake up if you have a nightmare, and are relieved that it was only a dream. This world in which we exist now is no different.

Hagakure

Life is too short to not enjoy it

II. 86

A man's life is very short, so it is best to do what he enjoys most. It is foolhardy indeed to waste your life in this world between dreams, doing things you don't enjoy as you endure the suffering.

Hagakure

Death might be imminent

II. 56.

Nobles and low-born men, old or young, enlightened or shackled, are all destined to die. We all perish eventually. Nobody is ignorant of this fact. Here though, people rely on their trump card. Although knowing that death is inevitable, they put these thoughts aside in the belief that others will succumb first, and think that their own death is a while off. Is this not vain? It is meaningless, and like playing a game in a dream world. It is ill-advised to keep your head in the sand as death creeps at one's feet; so prepare, and embrace your imminent death.

Hagakure

Hagakure NoFap

In spite of being born with fragile constitution, people these days are too lascivious and end up dying young. It is diabolical. I would proffer to physicians that if people who are sickly suppress their sexual desires for six months, or a year or two, they will recuperate without need of any special treatment. Most young men are weak-willed. It is woeful that they lack willpower to control their carnal urges for the sake of their well-being.

I abstained from having sex for seven years, I didn't fall ill, and I'm still very much alive. I have never really needed medicine before; although there were times when I felt under the weather, I was able to power through.

Hagakure

Adapt to the present, stay grounded in traditions

II. 18.

Current trend cannot be stopped in the flow of time. The world continues to degenerate because we are nearing the end of times. The year is not comprised only of the two pleasant seasons of spring and summer. The same can be said of each day. Thus, any longing for the "good old days" of a hundred years ago is futile. It is more judicious to adapt and improve the ways of the present. Men who hold a nostalgic view of the past are misguided in their outlook because they are blind to the reality of the present. Conversely, those who revel in the present, but loathe the customs and traditions of yesteryear, can't differentiate between core principle and insignificant details.

Hagakure

Always stay humble

I. 174

Conceit and haughtiness are perilous during times of good fortune. One must redouble efforts to maintain a sense of humility. Those who revel when times are good will wither in adversity. 

Hagakure

The best way to advance

The best way to outdo your colleagues is to ask for their advice about your own ideas. Most men conclude matters based on their own opinions, which prevent them from rising to a higher level. Consulting with experts is the best way to advance. A certain person sought my advice about writing an official document. Although better at writing such documents than I, he demonstrated his superiority through a willingness to solicit remedial help. 

Hagakure

Illness reveals the man's character

As the saying goes, 'There is nothing like illness to discern the hearts of others.' Those who are usually affable but drift away when you are down with an illness or are enduring hardship are not nice fellows. You should be considerate to a suffering man, and pay the poor chap a visit, or send gifts to cheer him up. Never spurn a person who has shown your favour in the past. This is how you can fathom the measure of a man. Many in this world seek comfort when they are in need, but don't give their benefactors a second thought afterwards. 

Hagakure

How to drink properly, part 2

I, 68

Many men are defeated by alcohol. This is a lamentable fact. Be attentive to how much you can imbibe without becoming drunk, and do not exceed your limit. Still, one will become intoxicated on occasion. When carousing, be constantly on the alert to deal with any unexpected occurrence. Drinking is a communal activity, so be very careful of your public appearance.

Hagakure

Don't be too critical

I. 56

There is a man I know who is very clever, but it was in his pedantic nature to always point out sloppy work. This is something a first-rate vassal should not do. Of you are unaware that the world is teeming with ineptitude from the beginning, you will develop a bitter countenance, and in turn others will eschew you. If you aren't acknowledged and trusted by others, you will not be able to demonstrate your true worth, no matter how outstanding a person you may actually be. Know that this is also a blemish on one's honor that invites ruin. 

Hagakure

Pursuit of perfection

Lord Yagyū once said, "I do not know how to defeat others. All I know is the path to defeat myself. Today one must be better than yesterday, and tomorrow better than today. The pursuit of perfection is a lifelong quest that has no end."

Hagakure

The pussyfication of men

I, 36. 

I once heard that the physician Matsugumasaki-no-Kyöan said, "In the profession of medicine, treatments for men and women are meted out differently in accordance with positive and negative energy (yin-yang). The pulse of man is different to that of a woman. Still, in the past five decades or so, the variance between the pulses between the sexes has become indistinguishable. Since noticing this, I have modified my treatment of eye ailments in men to comply with how I treat women. Male patients show little response to traditional male treatments. I have come to the realisation that manly essence is absent in many of them, and they have become very feminine as a sign of worsening times. "

After hearing this, I realized how true it was; so many men now seem to have the pulse of a woman. There are a few who can be thought of as a real man. This means that one man can surpass others by making just a small effort. 

HAGAKURE

 

How to drink properly

I. 23. One should always be careful to behave properly at social gatherings. Careful observation of revelries show that the majority of men are resigned to getting totally drunk. Partaking in alcohol is pleasurable as long as one ceases consumption at an appropriate time. It looks vulgar if one behaves recklessly, and it is an indication of one's character and [low] level of refinement. When drinking, the warrior should be aware that eyes are always upon him. Act appropriately in public.

HAGAKURE

 

Hagakure despre viață

Viața nu durează decât o clipă. Trebuie să o trăiești făcând ceea ce îți place. În această lume trecătoare ca un vis, să trăiești în mizerie făcând ceea ce îți displace e curată nebunie. Din moment ce acest fapt se poate dovedi periculos dacă e prost interpretat, am hotărât să nu împărtășesc această cunoștință secretă celor tineri. Îmi place să dorm. Decât să mă lupt cu morile de vânt, mai bine stau acasă și dorm. (Hagakure, Cartea a II-a)

Yukio Mishima - Calea samuraiului astăzi

Dragostea adevărată

Cred că dragostea supremă este dragostea secretă. Odată împărtășită, dragostea își pierde din importanță. Să tânjești după dragoste o viață întreagă, să mori din dragoste fără a rosti numele celei pe care o iubești, iată adevăratul înțeles al dragostei. (Hagakure, Cartea a II-a)

Yukio Mishima - Calea samuraiului astăzi