He who does not strike first will later regret it.
先に参ぜずんば後に悔いあり。
Military Strategists
Minamoto no Yoshitsune
The brilliant young commander whose daring raids destroyed the Taira clan and ended Japan's first great civil war (1159-1189). Minamoto no Yoshitsune's tactical genius at Ichi-no-Tani, Yashima, and Dan-no-ura was matched only by his political naivety — leading to betrayal by his brother and a tragic death that made him Japan's eternal symbol of the beautiful loser.
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Minamoto no Yoshitsune's Other Quotes
Related Quotes
Youth on horseback has passed. The world is at peace and white hairs multiply. With what remains of life that heaven permits, how can I not enjoy it?
-- Date Masamune
This man might be the one to seize the realm.
-- Kuroda Yoshitaka
In Shingen's art of war, it is said one should value the later victory. That may be so, but I value the first victory.
-- Uesugi Kenshin
Swift as the wind, silent as the forest, fierce as fire, immovable as the mountain.
-- Takeda Shingen
There is no use deliberating now.
-- Oda Nobunaga
I do not mind hardship — only let it be hardship that matters.
-- Takasugi Shinsaku