Satori

by Don Winslow

Hel displayed preternatural self-possession, a calm that was almost condescending, confidence that often crossed the line into arrogance.

Never consider the possibility of success—consider only the impossibility of failure.

“I do not know what it feels like to hit a man twice.”

very often not taking a risk was more dangerous than taking one.

We shall see which one wins. It is a basic law of Go and of life—the side that wins is the side that deserves to win.

You cannot find enlightenment, you can only be open to it finding you. That’s satori.”

“When one chooses to fight,” the abbot replied, “it is one’s responsibility to fight well.”

Then he recalled the old Chinese adage: When tigers fight, one is killed, and the other is mortally wounded.