Top 150 Morihei Ueshiba Quotes (2025 Update)
Page 2 of 4

51. “Ultimately, you must forget about technique. The further you progress, the fewer teachings there are. The Great Path is really NO PATH.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

52. “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

53. “Master the divine techniques of the Art of Peace and no enemy will dare to challenge you.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

54. “The best strategy relies upon an unlimited set of responses.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

55. “In true budo there is no enemy or opponent. True budo is to become one with the universe, not train to become powerful or to throw down some opponent. Rather we train in hopes of being of some use, however small our role may be, in the task of bringing peace to mankind around the world.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

56. “Aiki is not a technique to fight with or defeat an enemy. It is the way to reconcile the world and make human beings one family.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

57. “A warrior’s mission is to foster the success of others.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

58. “Everything – even mountains, rivers, plants and trees – should be your teacher.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

59. “Peace originates with the flow of things – its heart is like the movement of the wind and waves. The Way is like the veins that circulate blood through our bodies, following the natural flow of the life force. If you are separated in the slightest from that divine essence, you are far off the path.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

60. “Fill yourself with Ki, invite the attack.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

61. “Focus on stillness, rather than on movement.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

62. “When an opponent comes forward, move in and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

63. “Your voice is a very powerful weapon. When you are in tune with the cosmic breath of heaven and earth, your voice produces true sounds. Unify body, mind, and speech, and real techniques will emerge.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

64. “Your spirit is the true shield.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

65. “True budo is a work of love. It is a work of giving life to all beings, and not killing or struggling with each other. Love is the guardian deity of everything. Nothing can exist without it. Aikido is the realization of love.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

66. “If you have life in you, you have access to the secrets of the ages, for the truth of the universe resides in each and every human being.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

67. “Around 2am as I was performing misogi, I suddenly forgot all the martial techniques I had ever learned. The techniques of my teachers appeared completely new. Now they were vehicles for the cultivation of life, knowledge, and virtue, not devices to throw people with.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

68. “There are no contests in the Art of Peace. A true warrior is invincible because he or she contests with nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of contention that we harbor within.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

69. “There are times when you may be overwhelmed by the teachings of the Way. At such moments, it is important to continue with the original spirit of a beginner.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

70. “The world will continue to change dramatically, but fighting and war can destroy us utterly. What we need now are techniques of harmony, not those of contention. The Art of Peace is required, not the Art of War.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

71. “Mankind’s role is to fulfil his heaven-sent purpose through a sincere heart that is in harmony with all creation and loves all things.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

72. “Do not look upon this world with fear and loathing. Bravely face whatever the gods offer.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

73. “CONTEMPLATE THE workings of this world, listen to the words of the wise, and take all that is good as your own. With this as your base, open your own door to truth. Do not overlook the truth that is right before you.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

74. “To practice Aikido fully you must calm the spirit and go back to the origin.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

75. “Nonresistance is one of the principles of aikido. Because there is no resistance, you have won before even starting. People whose minds are evil or who enjoy fighting are defeated without a fight.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

76. “If your heart is large enough to envelop your adversaries, you can see right through them and avoid their attacks. And once you envelop them, you will be able to guide them along the path indicated to you by heaven and earth.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

77. “Shihonage is the foundation of Aikido. All you ever need to master is shihonage.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

78. “True victory is self-victory; let that day arrive quickly!”

— Morihei Ueshiba

79. “The divine is not something high above us. It is in heaven, it is in earth, it is inside us.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

80. “As soon as you concern yourself with the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ of your fellows, you create an opening in your heart for maliciousness to enter. Testing, competing with, and criticizing others weaken and defeat you.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

81. “The real purpose of the martial arts must be to purge oneself of petty ambitions and desire, to obtain control of one’s own character.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

82. “To rid the world of aggression and contention is the purpose of Aikido.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

83. “PRACTICE OF THE Art of Peace enables you to rise above praise or blame, and it frees you from attachment to this and that.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

84. “INSTRUCTORS CAN impart a fraction of the teaching. It is through your own devoted practice that the mysteries of the Art of Peace are brought to life.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

85. “The Samurai is the first to suffer anxiety for human society, and he is the last to seek personal pleasure.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

86. “Even the most powerful human being has a limited sphere of strength. Draw him outside of that sphere and into your own, and his strength will dissipate.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

87. “The techniques of Aikido change constantly; every encounter is unique, and the appropriate response should emerge naturally. Today’s techniques will be different tomorrow. Do not get caught up with the form and appearance of a challenge. Aikido has no form – it is the study of the spirit.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

88. “In extreme situations, the entire universe becomes our foe; at such critical times, unity of mind and technique is essential – do not let your heart waver!”

— Morihei Ueshiba

89. “To practice properly the Art of Peace, you must: Calm the spirit and return to the source. Cleanse the body and spirit by removing all malice, selfishness, and desire. Be ever grateful for the gifts received from the universe, your family, Mother nature, and your fellow human beings.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

90. “A mind to serve for the peace of all human beings in the world is needed in Aikido, and not the mind of one who wishes to be strong or who practices only to fell an opponent.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

91. “Kicking leaves you momentarily on one foot, and for that moment you are in a very weak position. If you were to be swept off your feet, you would be finished. This is why lifting your feet off the ground is crazy.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

92. “All the principles of heaven and earth are living inside you.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

93. “If you are centered, you can move freely.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

94. “It is necessary to develop a strategy that utilizes all the physical conditions and elements that are directly at hand. The best strategy relies upon an unlimited set of responses.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

95. “The realization of our true substance and potential is the purpose of creation.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

96. “The key to good technique is to keep your hands, feet, and hips straight and centered. If you are centered, you can move freely.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

97. “Iron is full of impurities that weaken it; through forging, it becomes steel and is transformed into a razor-sharp sword. Human beings develop in the same fashion.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

98. “When you lose your desire for things that do not matter, you will be free.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

99. “When you bow deeply to the universe, it bows back; when you call out the name of God, it echoes inside you.”

— Morihei Ueshiba

100. “I want considerate people to listen to the voice of Aikido. It is not for correcting others; it is for correcting your own mind. This is Aikido. This is the mission of Aikido and should be your mission.”

— Morihei Ueshiba