Famous Japanese military commanders and world-renowned great figures have left behind many memorable quotes over the course of long history.
In this article, we’ll introduce quotes from such figures of the past!
Among the sayings they left us are words that inspire people living today, expressions that convey stern strength, and insights that can serve as hints when taking action—each filled with various sentiments.
When you’re unsure about something in life or facing a moment that makes you feel like giving up, please take a look at the quotes we introduce.
Collection of quotes from people of the past. Messages from famous military commanders and world-renowned great figures (1–10)
No matter how much we study and how diligent we are, things sometimes don’t go well. This is because the time is not yet ripe, so we must all the more encourage ourselves and endure.NEW!Eiichi Shibusawa
These are words left by Eiichi Shibusawa, whose portrait was also chosen for the 10,000-yen bill.
No matter how earnestly you pile up your efforts, there are times when things don’t go well.
However, that’s because the time isn’t ripe yet; his teaching is that you must encourage yourself and push through further.
In other words, it means to keep working without giving up until the time is right.
When you experience failure despite your efforts, it’s easy to give up then and there, but if the timing aligns, things should go well.
Let’s keep at it without losing heart until that moment arrives.
Those who do not advance will surely fall back, and those who do not retreat will surely advance.NEW!Yukichi Fukuzawa
These are words written in the book An Encouragement of Learning.
They are followed by: “It is a principle that there must not be those who, advancing neither forward nor backward, remain stagnant.” “Stagnation” means staying in the same place—in other words, maintaining the status quo.
Taken together with the preceding statement, it means that the only people who can move forward are those who keep advancing without retreat, and that if you try to maintain the status quo without striving to move ahead, you will inevitably fall behind.
It is important to always have the ambition to move at least a little further than yesterday and to keep taking on challenges.
Unless the whole world becomes happy, individual happiness is impossible.NEW!Kenji Miyazawa
These are words by Kenji Miyazawa, the poet and writer of children’s stories famous for the poem “Be Not Defeated by the Rain.” Kenji Miyazawa is also known for works such as Night on the Galactic Railroad, The Restaurant of Many Orders, and Matasaburo of the Wind.
All humans live by supporting one another.
Even if we feel as though we live on our own, it’s hard to completely separate ourselves from others.
In other words, unless those around us are happy and the entire world becomes happy, our own happiness cannot truly exist.
Not only do we want our own happiness, but we also want the people around us and people across the world to be happy—these are words to keep close to heart.
People are the castle, people are the stone walls, people are the moat; compassion is an ally, and enmity is the enemy.Takeda Shingen
Takeda Shingen, also known as the “Tiger of Kai,” was a Sengoku-era warlord who held vast domains in Kai Province—what is now Yamanashi Prefecture.
His army was considered the strongest of its time, and it is said that even Oda Nobunaga feared him.
“People are the castle, people are the stone walls, people are the moats; compassion is your ally, resentment your enemy” is one of his famous sayings.
It suggests that relationships and trust between people build your stronghold, and that mere power and coercion won’t win true loyalty.
You could call it a maxim useful in the business world as well.
It is the heart that makes a world without amusements into an interesting one.Shinsaku Takasugi
Takasugi Shinsaku was a samurai of the Choshu domain who was active at the end of the Edo period, and he passed away from illness at the young age of 27.
This poem is said to be his death verse, and there is a dramatic anecdote behind it.
While Takasugi, bedridden, composed the upper half of the poem and was pondering the lower half, it is said that Nomura Botan, who was nursing him, supplied the lower half.
The poem conveys the idea that even if the world holds nothing amusing, it is up to one’s own mindset to make it interesting.
These words offer a hint for living a richer life.
Let those who wish to leave, leave.NEW!Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great, monarch of the Kingdom of Macedon, one of the empires of ancient Greece.
Often called one of the most successful military commanders in history, Alexander the Great left behind numerous famous sayings.
Among them, this short yet resolute quote was addressed to the many soldiers who were exhausted by the long campaign.
It conveys the meaning: let those who wish to leave, leave; even if our numbers are few, we will continue the campaign with those who still have the will to fight.
