The Unfettered Mind Quotes

“When you look at a tree, se it for its leafs, its branches, its trunk and the roots, then and only then will you see the tree”
― Takuan Soho, The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master

“One may explain water, but the mouth will not become wet. One may expound fully on the nature of fire, but the mouth will not become hot.”
― Takuan Soho, The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman

“It is the very mind itself That leads the mind astray; Of the mind, Do not be mindless.”
― Takuan Soho, The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman

“If you follow the present-day world, you will turn your back on the Way; if you would not turn your back on the Way, do not follow the world.”
― Takuan Soho, The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman

“If you would know a man’s good and evil points, you should know the underlings and retainers he loves and employs, and the friends with whom he mixes intimately. If the lord is not correct, none of his friends and retainers will be correct.”
― Takuan Soho, The Unfettered Mind: Writings of the Zen Master to the Sword Master

“Although it does not mindfully keep guard, In the small mountain fields the scarecrow does not stand in vain.”
― Takuan Soho, The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman

“When this is acquired by the human body, it is called one’s nature. Its other names are virtue, the Way, human-heartedness, probity, and propriety. While the name changes according to the situation, and though its function is different, in substance it is only one thing. When this is written as human-heartedness and the situation involves human intercourse, its function is benevolence. When it is written as right-mindedness and the situation involves social station and integrity, its function is in making no mistakes in clarity of judgment.”
― Takuan Soho, The Unfettered Mind: Writings from a Zen Master to a Master Swordsman