Top 150 Morihei Ueshiba Quotes (2024 Update)

1. “The Art of Peace begins with you...”

— Morihei Ueshiba

2. “Failure is the key to success; each mistake teaches us something.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

3. “True victory is victory over oneself.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

4. “Life is growth. If we stop growing, technically and spiritually, we are as good as dead.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

5. “The Way of a Warrior is to establish harmony.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

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6. “Aikido is love. It is the path that brings our heart into oneness with the spirit of the universe to complete our mission in life by instilling in us a love and reverence for all of nature.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

7. “The Art of Peace is based on four Great Virtues: Bravery, Wisdom, Love, and Friendship, symbolized by Fire, Heaven, Earth, and Water.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

8. “Atemi accounts for 99% of Aikido.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

9. “Aikido is the Way and Principle of harmonizing Heaven, Earth and Man.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

10. “Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and wise people. Everything – even mountains, rivers, plants and trees – should be your teacher.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

11. “Each person is the universe from a particular perspective.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

12. “The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack, toughen the body, and polish the spirit.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

13. “A good stance and posture reflect a proper state of mind.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

14. “Aikido is the spirit of loving protection for all beings.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

15. “Techniques employ four qualities that reflect the nature of our world. Depending on the circumstance, you should be: hard as a diamond, flexible as a willow, smooth-flowing like water, or as empty as space.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

16. “True Budo is to accept the spirit of the universe, keep the peace of the world, correctly produce, protect and cultivate all beings in nature.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

17. “Progress comes to those who train and train; reliance on secret techniques will get you nowhere.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

18. “One does not need buildings, money, power, or status to practice the Art of Peace. Heaven is right where you are standing, and that is the place to train.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

19. “Move like a beam of light: fly like lightning, strike like thunder, whirl in circles around a stable center.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

20. “Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

21. “Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

22. “The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity; the heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship. Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the body is always limited.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

23. “In your training, do not be in a hurry, for it takes a minimum of ten years to master the basics and advance to the first rung. Never think of yourself as an all-knowing, perfected master; you must continue to train daily with your friends and students and progress together in the Art of Peace.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

24. “Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

25. “Always keep your mind as bright and clear as the vast sky, the great ocean, and the highest peak, empty of all thoughts. Always keep your body filled with light and heat. Fill yourself with the power of wisdom and enlightenment.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

26. “PRACTICE THE Art of Peace sincerely, and evil thoughts and deeds will naturally disappear. The only desire that should remain is the thirst for more and more training in the Way.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

27. “Create each day anew.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

28. “A black belt is nothing more than a belt that goes around your waist. Being a black belt is a state of mind and attitude. Even though surrounded By several enemies set to attack, Fight with the thought That they are but one.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

29. “There are many paths leading to the top of Mount Fuji, but there is only one summit – love.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

30. “True victory does not come from defeating an enemy, true victory comes from giving love and changing an enemies heart.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

31. “Foster and polish the warrior spirit while serving in the world; illuminate the path according to your inner light.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

32. “Study the teachings of the pine tree, the bamboo, and the plum blossom. The pine is evergreen, firmly rooted, and venerable. The bamboo is strong, resilient, unbreakable. The plum blossom is hardy, fragrant, and elegant.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

33. “Cast off limiting thoughts and return to true emptiness. Stand in the midst of the great void. This is the secret of the Way of a Warrior.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

34. “If you have not linked yourself to true emptiness, you will never understand the art of peace.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

35. “All the principles of heaven and earth are living inside you. Life itself is truth, and this will never change. Everything in heaven and earth breathes. Breath is the thread that ties creation together.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

36. “Life itself is always a trial. In training, you must test and polish yourself in order to face the great challenges of life.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

37. “Now and again, it is necessary to seclude yourself among deep mountain and hidden valleys to restore your link to the source of life.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

38. “Aikido is based on the projection of love.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

39. “BE GRATEFUL EVEN for hardship, setbacks, and bad people. Dealing with such obstacles is an essential part of training in the Art of Peace.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

40. “To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

41. “IF YOUR OPPONENT strikes with fire, counter with water, becoming completely fluid and free-flowing. Water, by its nature, never collides with or breaks against anything. On the contrary, it swallows up any attack harmlessly.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

42. “Aikido is the principle of non-resistance. Because it is non-resistant, it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished. Aikido is invincible because it contends with nothing.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

43. “The way of the warrior is based on humanity, love and sincerity.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

44. “Economy is the basis of society. When the economy is stable, society develops. The ideal economy combines the spiritual and the material, and the best commodities to trade in are sincerity and love.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

45. “ALWAYS PRACTICE the Art of Peace in a vibrant and joyful manner.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

46. “Those who are enlightened never stop forging themselves.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

47. “You are here for no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and manifest your inner enlightenment.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

48. “Fill yourself with the power of wisdom and enlightenment.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

49. “Cleanse your body and soul, removing malice, selfishness and desire.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

50. “The art of Peace I practice has room for each of the world’s eight million gods, and I cooperate with them all. The God of Peace is very great and enjoins all that is divine and enlightened in every land.”

— Morihei Ueshiba