I'm old school. In fact, I'm from the oldest of schools. I'm a ninja. And, I have the skills and the scars to prove it.

There are many misconceptions about ninjas floating around. Young people who choose the path of a ninja are often lead astray. This concerns me.

My hope is that this book will reduce the influence of false ninjas and cause some to find or return to the way.

Contents

A Ninja Does Not Consider the Universe
A Ninja is a Single Arrow Flying Through the Night
Ninjas See No Glory in Death
A Ninja is Ferocious
John Wayne Was Not a Ninja
A Ninja is Not Bound by Duty
Ninjas Don't Join Armies
Deny Being a Ninja
A Ninja Holds a Mirror To Himself

A Ninja Does Not Consider the Universe

A ninja does not consider the universe, where it came from, where it is going, why it is what it is.

Leave these questions for the foolish. A ninja has no time for such nonsense.

A ninja's only concern is what is and what he can do.

The universe was here a long time before you and it will be here a long time after you. You're here for but a short time. Do what the moment requires and let the universe consider you.

A Ninja is a Single Arrow Flying Through the Night

A ninja is a single arrow flying through the night, its path's end point a target.

A ninja is a light touch, a slight shove to tip the balance.

Ninjas do not brawl or bash. They slice, clean full cuts.

A ninja is not seen coming or doing. One hears only the slight hissing sound of his path.

Ninjas See No Glory in Death

Do not sacrifice yourself for some grand cause.

Do not stand, wooden, at the advance of a tidal wave.

Do not place your head lightly on the chopping block.

There is no glory in death. Those that promote such an idea do so only that you might perish without effort when the time comes.

Fight to hold onto that thing which should be most precious to you.

Death has never been glorious. Wash this thought from your mind.

A Ninja is Ferocious

A ninja is ferocious, like the spinning blades of a windmill in a storm.

The meek have no place among the doers of this world.

Caring brings forth action and action brings forth contempt for failure.

Do not fear upsetting the way of things. Make the way. You are the whirlwind. Ninjas are ferocious.

John Wayne Was Not a Ninja

Ninjas bend but don't break in even the strongest wind.

Sure, Wayne was cunning, resourceful, and brave. However, he met all forces in the same way. He stood in their path and, if the force was too great, he broke and was blown away.

John Wayne was not a ninja.

A Ninja is Not Bound by Duty

Duty is no substitute for thought. A precept stamped on one man's mind by another man is no real guide to action. By what right does one ensnare another using the noose of duty?

A ninja is not bound by duty. A ninja is bound by propriety.

Ninjas Don't Join Armies

Swarming masses bent on making war are of no appeal to a ninja. The clumsy instruments such groups employ are to be disdained. Such devices often cause as much harm to their wielders as they do to their targets.

Ninjas reach out and grab that which is desired with their own gloved hand. Ninjas don't join armies.

Deny Being a Ninja

If asked if you're a ninja, deny it. A ninja will not ask another this question. Ninjas recognize their own. Those that are not ninja's need not know your nature.

Often times, ninjas must leverage stealth and secrecy. Don't destroy one of your advantages. You'll leave yourself no place to stand.

A Ninja Holds a Mirror To Himself

How can you be an effective weapon without knowing your capabilities and weaknesses? How can you mount an effective defense without knowing from where your deficiencies descend?

There is little you can tell a ninja that he doesn't already know about himself. Self-deception is not something a ninja practices and self-knowledge is a possesion of all ninjas. A ninja holds a mirror to himself.