Hold pride that is not arrogance,
and humility that is not self-deprecation
奢りではない自信と、卑屈ではない謙虚さ
Ogoridehanaijishinto,Hikutudehanaikenkyosa
This is what is taught as the most important principle in Tenshin-ryu.
When this balance is lost, one strays from the path of being human and becomes trapped in life.
No one can fully achieve this.
To continue working on an unattainable task—this is the path of the wise.
And this is the path of being human, and the path of the Samurai.
To become a great Samurai, one must discern this balance and strive daily.
Neither arrogant nor self-deprecating, but possessing both a high sense of pride and humility rooted in true confidence—when these qualities coexist, one becomes a Samurai who walks both the path of the warrior and the path of the sage.
This is not the mistaken sword that carelessly harms others, creating more enemies, sorrow, and hatred.
It is the katsujinken—the life-giving sword—that illuminates the way and leads those around you to happiness.
Kuwami Masakumo
