Martial Philosophy

What do you guys think of the Philosophy of Martial Artists, Warriors, Soldiers and Generals?

I was in a class that discussed a lot of Philosophies of "Warriors;" From Sun Tzu to Miyamoto Musashi, and Masutatsu Oyama(Kyokushin Karate) to Ip Man(Wing Chun). Even the ethical system of the Samurai, which is Bushido. This also led me to appreciate some other Martial Artists like Rickson Gracie(Brazilian Jiu Jitsu). So i thought of opening a discussion of the topic.

"Reading good books implants good ideas in the mind, develops good aspirations, and leads to the cultivation of good friends."
-Masutatsu Oyama

"One must try everyday to expand one's limits."
-Masutatsu Oyama

"It doesn’t matter what it is, it becomes better with love."
-Rickson Gracie

"The mind is like a parachute -- it works best when it is open."
- Rickson Gracie

"Willingness to learn is the mark of a youthful mind."
- Rickson Gracie

"It is difficult to realize the true Way just through sword-fencing. Know the smallest things and the biggest things, the shallowest things and the deepest things."
- Miyamoto Musashi

"Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye."
- Miyamoto Musashi

"The ultimate aim of martial arts is not having to use them."
- Miyamoto Musashi

"You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain."
- Miyamoto Musashi

"For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill."
- Sun Tzu

"[Hence,] when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near."
- Sun Tzu

"Karate-Do strives internally to train the mind to develop a clear conscience, enabling one to face the world honestly, while externally developing strength to the point where one may overcome even ferocious wild animals. Mind and technique become one in true karate."
- Gichin Funakoshi(Shotokan Karate)

The ultimate aim of the art of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the characters of its participants.
- Gichin Funakoshi

Sun tszu is the greatest millitary strategist in history. His principles apply to life also. His book is a work of genius,but needs to be read spiritually not literally.
Mushashi is very intelligent but is also an anti social thug bascially. You can get all of his good knowledge from Sun tzsu,minus the warrior rhetoric and fancy words from other authors. I think the world would be a lot more peaceful if millitary rulers followed the life saving precepts of Sunny Zoo.

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Originally Posted by Theunderground

Sun tszu is the greatest millitary strategist in history. His principles apply to life also. His book is a work of genius,but needs to be read spiritually not literally.
Mushashi is very intelligent but is also an anti social thug bascially. You can get all of his good knowledge from Sun tzsu,minus the warrior rhetoric and fancy words from other authors. I think the world would be a lot more peaceful if millitary rulers followed the life saving precepts of Sunny Zoo.

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I wouldn't say that he was a thug. He was also the on that said "Justice without power is empty; Power without justice is violence."
He was a very introverted man who was practically looking inwardly most of the time. He believed that a person must not be so familiar with people and places so that there would not be too much emotional attachments. He respected other teachings/religions such as Confucianism, Buddhism and, how he calls it, other Ways.

Bruce Lee was heavily influenced by Daoist philosophy and his books contain some interesting insights. He talks about the fighter being free, pure, without form, ready for anything - fluid, like the Dao. Its good stuff.

Mushashi was indeed an odd fellow. He never frequented public bath houses because doing so would have left him vulnerable to attack by the myriad samurai looking to make a name for themselves by killing such a renown swordsman. It is said that before one dual the seconds went to where he was staying with a bowl of water for him to wash his face and a towel for him to dry off, and Musashi instead drank the water and tied up his filthy hair with the towel. The Japanese made a trilogy of movies about him in the 1960's, starring Toshiro Mifune, and they totally whitewashed him.

The Book of Five Rings is a book on his two-sword sword style, which has philosophical meanings beyond it. It is geared to the particulars of one-on-one conflict, although many of the strategic principles have broader philosophical and strategic implications. It is not a way of doing business, or an ethical system to live by though. Musashi teaches how to win at all costs, and in many cases has identified practical applications for the principles of the Art of War in a one-on-one conflict. It is a direct and honest book though and his viewpoint on individual conflict is realistic and developed out of experiences in many duels. His perspective is particular useful as a martial philosopher and strategist because he was personally and instantly affected by any erroneous beliefs he had about combat in his time. This is also the case with modern martial artists, though they can go on to write more afterwards about why something really didn't work. ;)
Bruce Lee was extremely influenced by Jiddu Krishnamurti too. He read a great deal on ethics, philosophy, strategy- and martial arts styles and techniques.

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Originally Posted by Silas Thorne

The Book of Five Rings is a book on his two-sword sword style, which has philosophical meanings beyond it. It is geared to the particulars of one-on-one conflict, although many of the strategic principles have broader philosophical and strategic implications. It is not a way of doing business, or an ethical system to live by though. Musashi teaches how to win at all costs, and in many cases has identified practical applications for the principles of the Art of War in a one-on-one conflict. It is a direct and honest book though and his viewpoint on individual conflict is realistic and developed out of experiences in many duels. His perspective is particular useful as a martial philosopher and strategist because he was personally and instantly affected by any erroneous beliefs he had about combat in his time. This is also the case with modern martial artists, though they can go on to write more afterwards about why something really didn't work. ;)
Bruce Lee was extremely influenced by Jiddu Krishnamurti too. He read a great deal on ethics, philosophy, strategy- and martial arts styles and techniques.

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because they also had/have Bushido, which was and still is there ethical system. Musashi's teachings can still be applied practically. But in my opinion, I think the whole concept of Bushido is the ethical system that can be looked up to.

Machiavelli is also unique in his analysis,but in a more political vein. Between him and Sun all the basics are covered. Mushashi was too isolated and individualistic to have a political impact.

The Indian version of this wisdom is contained in Book Ten of Kautilya's Artha-Shashtra written at the beginning of the Third Century B.C.E.

I've trained BJJ for years and I'm not really into the philosphical side of martial arts.

The Gracies are pioneers but they can be really pompous and vain. I think a general respect and honor is important in all forms of competition but to take it further is imo pointless.

Fighters are not generally philosophers or intellectuals and when these ideas are taken too far, we end up with things like Tai Chi which is worthless and styles like Aikido which have little practical application as a form of self defense.

Well, as for myself, I like the Yosa Buson haiku: "Duty is heavy./Death, light as a feather." as well as the old phrase, "Those who live by the sword, die by the sword." That's all the martial philosophy I need.

Great threat. I agree with you, there's a lot of good stuff in the people you mentioned. Miyamoto Musashi especially has always struck me as an impressive person, one of the most impressive of any who lived, really. As far as martial philosophy goes, I think a true master is a lot akin to a self-realized person. Take for example Musashi and compare him to Dogen Zenji, or Bankei. I find a lot of similarity in the spirit of their teachings.

Besides the quotes by Musashi you gave, a few others stood out for me - and you've also spurred me to go ahead and give A Book of Five Rings a thorough read. .

“Do not sleep under a roof. Carry no money or food. Go alone to places frightening to the common brand of men. Become a criminal of purpose. Be put in jail, and extricate yourself by your own wisdom.”

“You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour.”

“Never stray from the Way.”

“I dreamt of worldly success once.”



I love the last one. :) Some of the others I liked, I just realized aren't dealing with philosophy but just strategy.