A thousand words will not leave so deep an impression as one deed.

A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.

Youth on horseback has passed. The world is at peace and white hairs multiply. With what remains of life that heaven permits, how can I not enjoy it?

-- The 'One-Eyed Dragon' of northern Japan who carved

人の意見を聞いてから出る知恵は、本当の知恵ではない。

-- The peasant who became ruler of all Japan

児孫のために美田を買わず。

-- The charismatic giant who led Japan's Meiji Restoration through force of personality and moral authority

Let the world say what it will about me. Only I know what I must do.

-- The visionary who brokered the alliance that overthrew Japan's feudal government and launched the country into modernity

Ungrateful fatherland, you shall not even have my bones.

-- The Roman general who defeated Hannibal at Zama

閑山島月明夜上戍楼、撫大刀深愁時

-- The Korean naval commander who defeated the Japanese navy in every engagement during the Imjin War