Skip to content
quotesby

Fifthly, the book of the Void. By Void I mean that which has no beginning and no end. Attaining this principle means not attaining the principle. The Way of strategy is the Way of nature. When you appreciate the power of nature, knowing the rhythm of any situation, you will be able to hit the enemy naturally and strike naturally. All this is the Way of the Void. I intend to show how to follow the true Way according to nature in the book of the Void.

Miyamoto Musashi#5

StrategyPhilosophyFlowNature

About this quote

What does it mean?
The Void represents natural rhythm and acting without forced effort.
In plain terms
Follow nature's rhythm to act naturally and effortlessly.
What can you take from it?
Align actions with natural rhythms instead of forcing them.

Where it applies

  • creative work
  • leadership
  • problem-solving

Putting it to work

  • observing patterns
  • acting without overthinking

Questions to consider

  • Where do you force outcomes instead of flowing?

Another view

Some situations require forceful intervention rather than natural flow.

More from Miyamoto Musashi

  1. Fourthly the Wind book. This book is not concerned with my Ichi school but with other schools of strategy. By Wind I mean old traditions, present-day tradition…

    Permalink to quote #4
  2. I have been many years training in the Way of strategy, called Ni Ten Ichi Ryu, and now I think I will explain it in writing for the first time.

    Permalink to quote #6
  3. Third is the Fire book. This book is about fighting. The spirit of fire is fierce, whether the fire be small or big; and so it is with battles. The Way of batt…

    Permalink to quote #3

Related quotes

  1. We should therefore, with grace and optimism, embrace NOMA's tough-minded demand: Acknowledge the personal character of these human struggles about morals and …

    Stephen Jay GouldStephen Jay Gould quote #1
  2. There is one living spirit, prevalent over this world ... which assumes a multitude of forms according to subordinate laws. There is one thinking sensible prin…

    Charles DarwinCharles Darwin quote #1
  3. I find more meaning in the wing of a bird and in the branch of a tree, than in five hundred icons. God has given us two books: the Bible and Creation.

    Alexander MenAlexander Men quote #1