The Bushido Code: The Eight Virtues of the Samurai
“What is important is to try to develop insights and wisdom rather than mere knowledge, respect someone's character rather than his learning, and nurture men of character rather than mere talents."
Nitobe Inazō
The word samurai originally meant “one who serves,” and referred to men of noble birth assigned to guard members of the Imperial Court. This service ethic spawned the roots of samurai nobility, both social and spiritual.
(1862-1933) was a prolific writer. He published many scholarly books as well as books for general readers.
Bushido’s Eight Virtues as explicated by Nitobe:
1. Rectitude. Rightness or practice; exact conformity to truth, or to the rules prescribed for moral conduct, either by divine or human laws; (moral) uprightness, integrity; honesty; morality; straightness.
2. Courage. The quality of a confident character not to be afraid or intimidated easily but without being incautious or inconsiderate; the ability to do things which one finds frightening; …”Courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.” ~ Mark Twain
3. Benevolence. Disposition to do good; charitable kindness; an altruistic gift or act. Both Confucius and Mencius often said the highest requirement of a ruler of men is Benevolence.
4. Respect. An attitude of consideration or high regard; good opinion, honor, or admiration; polite greetings, often offered as condolences after a death.
5. Honesty. The act, quality, or condition of being honest; to be truthful.
6. Honor. An objectification of praiseworthiness, respect (for example: something that represents praiseworthiness, respect).
7. Loyalty. Unswerving in allegiance; faithful in allegiance to one’s lawful sovereign or government; faithful to a private person to whom fidelity is due; faithful to a cause, ideal, custom, institution, or product; the state of being loyal; fidelity.
8. Character and Self-Control. Bushido teaches that men should behave according to an absolute moral standard, one that transcends logic. What’s right is right, and what’s wrong is wrong.
Quotation from Nitobe:
"If there is anything to do, there is certainly a best way to do it, and the best way is both the most economical and the most graceful."
Additional Reading
Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinshu of Taira Shigesuke by Daidōji Yūzan, Oscar Ratti, Thomas Cleary
Point of Reflection
“Honor may not win power, but it wins respect. And respect earns power.”
Ishida Mitsunari.