A man who wants neither life, nor fame, nor rank, nor money — such a man is the hardest to deal with.
命もいらず、名もいらず、官位も金もいらぬ人は、始末に困るものなり。この始末に困る人ならでは、艱難を共にして国家の大業は成し得られぬなり。
Military Strategists
Saigō Takamori
The charismatic giant who led Japan's Meiji Restoration through force of personality and moral authority (1828-1877). Saigo Takamori toppled the shogunate, built the new army, then rebelled against the very government he created — dying as the 'last samurai' in a final stand for a vanishing world.
View this figure's profile
Saigō Takamori'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
Wisdom that comes only after hearing others' opinions is not true wisdom.
-- Toyotomi Hideyoshi
People are the castle, people are the walls, people are the moat. Compassion makes allies; cruelty makes enemies.
-- Takeda Shingen
Without first establishing internal governance, there can be no external campaigns.
-- Ōkubo Toshimichi
Do not buy fertile fields for the sake of your descendants.
-- Saigō Takamori
Revere Heaven, Love People.
-- Saigō Takamori