Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645)

Miyamoto Musashi was a Japanese swordsman, strategist, artist and writer who became renowned through stories of his unique double-bladed swordsmanship and undefeated record in his 62 duels. Musashi is considered a kensei of Japan. He was the founder of the Niten Ichi-ryū style of swordsmanship, and in his final years authored The Book of Five Rings and Dokkōdō.

Quotes

It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first.
Strategy is different from other things in that if your mistake the Way (of strategy), even a little, you will become bewildered and fall into bad ways.
Perception is strong, sight is weak.
Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is the resolute acceptance of death.
Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things.
There is timing in the whole life of the warrior, in his thriving and declining, in his harmony and discord. Similarly, there is timing in the Way of the merchant, in the rise and fall of capital. All things entail rising and falling timing. You must be able to discern this.
Generally speaking, the Way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death.
Do not let the body be dragged along by mind nor the mind be dragged along by the body
I must say, to die with one's sword still sheathed is most regrettable.