Warrior's Library

The Book of Five Rings — Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1645)

Japan's most legendary swordsman — undefeated in 61 duels — wrote this in a cave near the end of his life. Five scrolls: Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Emptiness. His message: master the fundamentals, keep a calm and fluid mind, cut away everything useless, and practice with total sincerity.

For your training: show up every day, master the basics before chasing the fancy stuff, stay calm when the workout gets hard — and do nothing that is of no use.

"You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain."

"Do nothing that is of no use."

The Book of Five Rings itself is centuries old, but every modern English translation is still under copyright — so there's no free full text we can legally host here. Pick up a copy from your local bookstore or library; it's worth owning.

Dokkōdō — The Way of Walking Alone (1645)

Days before his death, Musashi wrote 21 short precepts — his final summary of the Way. Two minutes to read, a lifetime to practice:

1. Accept things exactly as they are.
2. Don't chase pleasure for its own sake.
3. Never act on a passing feeling.
4. Think little of yourself, and deeply about the world.
5. Stay free of craving, all your life.
6. Don't regret what's done.
7. Never envy anyone.
8. Don't grieve over partings.
9. Don't complain — about yourself or anyone else.
10. Don't be ruled by lust or romance.
11. Have no favorites among things.
12. Don't care where you make your home.
13. Don't chase fancy food.
14. Let go of possessions you don't use.
15. Don't just follow the crowd's beliefs.
16. Don't hoard weapons or train beyond what's useful.
17. Don't fear death.
18. Don't stockpile wealth for your old age.
19. Honor the gods, but don't beg them for favors.
20. You can lose your life, but never your honor.
21. Never leave the path.

The Art of War — Sun Tzu (~5th century BC)

The oldest strategy manual in the world, written 2,400 years ago — and still studied by coaches, executives, and competitors everywhere. Its core lesson: the battle is won before it begins, through preparation, knowledge, and discipline. "Know yourself" means know your body, your strengths, and your limits.

For your training: plan your workouts, prepare your meals, respect your recovery. Victory loves preparation.

"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."

Read the full book right here — The Art of War

The complete 1910 Lionel Giles translation, hosted on this site. Also available at Project Gutenberg.

Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai — Yamamoto Tsunetomo (early 1700s)

"The Way of the Samurai is found in death" — not a love of dying, but total commitment: hold nothing back, live each moment completely. Written as some 1,300 short lessons on loyalty, discipline, and presence of mind.

For your training: commit fully to every rep, every set, every meal choice. Half-effort is the only true failure.

"The Way of the Samurai is found in death."

"Matters of great concern should be treated lightly; matters of small concern should be treated seriously."

Hagakure itself is centuries old, but modern English translations are still under copyright — so there's no free full-text we can legally share here. Pick up a copy from your local bookstore or library; it's worth owning.

Bushido: The Soul of Japan — Inazo Nitobe (1900)

Written in English by a Japanese scholar to explain the samurai code to the world: rectitude, courage, benevolence, politeness, truthfulness, honor, and loyalty. The book that introduced bushido — "the way of the warrior" — to the West.

For your training: this is the mindset behind the muscles. Courage without benevolence is thuggery; discipline without honor is empty. Read how the samurai trained their character the way you train your body.

"Chivalry is itself the poetry of life."

Read the full book right here — Bushido: The Soul of Japan

The complete 1900 text, hosted on this site. Public domain via Project Gutenberg.

The original works are all in the public domain. The Art of War's full text above is hosted by our friends at Project Gutenberg; for the other two, their modern English translations are still under copyright.