Miyamoto Musashi’s Rules
Several centuries ago, a great swordsman named Miyamoto Musashi wrote a book, known as the “Book of Five Rings”, which gave instruction in kendo, the art of sword fighting. He included a list of rules which he felt would be helpful to anyone attempting to learn kendo. These rules are helpful to anyone. They are as follows:
1. Do not think dishonestly.
2. The Way is in training.
3. Become acquainted with every art.
4. Know the ways of all professions.
5. Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters.
6. Develop intuitive judgement and understanding for everything.
7. See those things which cannot be seen.
8. Pay attention even to trifles.
9. Do nothing which is of no use.
To these, I like to add a military precept which is of unknown origin:
Time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted.
Conrad Theodore Seitz 