QuoteProject
There is timing in the whole life of the warrior, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and discord. Similarly, there is timing in the Way of the merchant, in the rise and fall of capital. All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this.
Miyamoto Musashi
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding the natural rhythms and cycles in life and work.

Miyamoto Musashi's quote reflects the concept that both warriors and merchants experience inherent cycles of success and failure, harmony and discord. Recognizing and adapting to these cycles is crucial for navigating life's challenges, suggesting that awareness of timing can lead to better decision-making and understanding of one's journey.

Themes

TimingLife CyclesSuccessFailureAwareness

In practice

Example use cases

A motivational speaker might use this quote to illustrate the importance of resilience in the face of setbacks.

More from Miyamoto Musashi

If you want to learn the craft of war, ponder over this book. The teacher is as a needle, the disciple is as thread. You must practice constantly.
Miyamoto MusashiRead
If you fail to take advantage of your enemies' collapse, they may recover.
Miyamoto MusashiRead
One must make the warrior walk his everyday walk.
Miyamoto MusashiRead
To cut and slash are two different things. Cutting, whatever form of cutting it is, is decisive, with a resolute spirit. Slashing is nothing more than touching the enemy.
Miyamoto MusashiRead
You win battles by knowing the enemy's timing, and using a timing which the enemy does not expect.
Miyamoto MusashiRead
In the void is virtue, and no evil. Wisdom has existence, principle has existence, the Way has existence, spirit is nothingness.
Miyamoto MusashiRead

Similar quotes

What do you call it when someone steals someone else's money secretly? Theft. What do you call it when someone takes someone else's money openly by force? Robbery. What do you call it when a politician takes someone else's money in taxes and gives it to someone who is more likely to vote for him? Social Justice.
Thomas SowellRead
Boundary, n. In political geography, an imaginary line between two nations, separating the imaginary rights of one from the imaginary rights of another.
Ambrose BierceRead
The day before is what we bring to the day we're actually living through, life is a matter of carrying along all those days-before just as someone might carry stones, and when we can no longer cope with the load, the work is done, the last day is the only one that is not the day before another day.
Jose SaramagoRead
What matters here are the works - finally without them his life would be uninteresting. What matters, that is, are the astonishing things that he left behind. If we can get the life in relation to the works, then it can take off.
Stephen GreenblattRead
Land is a very broad as well as a complex issue, and it has to be handled very delicately because around land, there is quite a lot of emotion.
Cyril RamaphosaRead
Accept the place the divine providence has found for you, the society of your contemporaries, the connection of events.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.