Morihei Ueshiba
“Your spirit is the true shield.”
“Regarding technique, movements must fly like lightning and attacks must strike like thunder.”
“Always imagine yourself on the battlefield under the fiercest attack; never forget this crucial element of training.”
“Depending on the circumstance, you should be: hard as a diamond, flexible as a willow, smooth-flowing like water, or as empty as space.”
“Move like a beam of light; fly like lightning; strike like thunder; whirl in circles around a stable center.”
“In the Art of Peace we never attack. An attack is proof that one is out of control.”
“In our techniques we enter completely into, blend totally with, and control firmly an attack.”
“Be grateful even for hardship, setbacks, and bad people. Dealing with such obstacles is an essential part of training in the Art of Peace.”
“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.”
“Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything.”
“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.”
“The Way of the Warrior has been misunderstood... The real Way of a Warrior is to prevent such slaughter — it is the Art of Peace, the power of love.”
“Each and every master... There are many paths leading to the top of Mount Fuji, but there is only one summit — love.”
“The Art of Peace begins with you. Work on yourself and your appointed task in the Art of Peace.”
“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.”