The 22 Best Zen Martial Arts Quotes

The concept of zen is one that is found throughout traditional martial arts. At its core, zen simply means to have an energy of peacefulness and calm around yourself. Whilst this may be straightforward in your day-to-day life, the difficulty is being zen through the tough times. Like a small ship on a stormy ocean, it can be difficult to maintain balance and level headedness during times of adversity.

Below are the best zen quotes from a variety of martial artists that can be applied to both fighting and life.

1. “To understand your fear is the beginning of really seeing” – Bruce Lee

2.“The heart knows today what the mind will learn tomorrow” – Unknown

3. “To practice zen of the martial arts, you must live intensely, whole heartedly, without reserve as if you might die at the next instant” – Taisen Deshimaru

4. “Our martial arts training is 90% the mind” – Shifu Lan Yei

5. “Budo is not to fight, but to make the perfect person” – Shihan Fumio Demura

6. “A true martial artist is not one who fears change, but one who causes it to happen” – Edmund Kealoha Parker

7. “Everyone that fights you is not your enemy and everybody that helps you is not your friend” – Mike Tyson

8. “Never put passion in front of principle, even if you win, you’ll lose” – Mr Miyagi

9. “When there is preparation, there is no fear” – Hwang Kee

10. “Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world” – Miyamoto Musashi

11. “Zen is not attained by mirror-wiping meditation, but by self forgetfulness in the existential present of life here and now. We do not “come”, we “are”. Dont strive to become, but be” – Bruce Lee

12. “The wise focus their attention inside” – Lao Tzu

13. “Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought” – Thomas Mann

14. “The judge and the jury that really matters is inside you” – Bohdi Sanders

15. “If you look within yourself and you’re sure you have done right, what do you have to fear or worry about?” – Bruce Lee

16. “The warriors heart is like a sword, it must be cleaned daily” – Billy Shearer

17. “A man who conquers himself is greater than one who conquers a thousand men in battle” – Buddha

18. “The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists” – Japanese proverb

19. “Be patient and tough; some day this pain will be useful to you” – Unknown

20. “As you will think, so shall you become” – Bruce Lee

21. “When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you” – Lao Tzu

22. “Work out your own salvation, do not depend on others” – Buddha