Miyamoto Musashi was a prominent Japanese ronin samurai and philosopher. Just prior to his death, he finished two books: The Book of 5 Rings and The Path of Aloneness (Dokkodo). The former was a book detailing his unique swordsmanship style and the latter contained 21 philosophies he had learned on life during his alone contemplations.
Taken from Wikipedia article Those 21 principles are as follows:
- Accept everything just the way it is.
- Do not seek pleasure for its own sake.
- Do not, under any circumstances, depend on a partial feeling.
- Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the world.
- Be detached from desire your whole life long.
- Do not regret what you have done.
- Never be jealous.
- Never let yourself be saddened by seperation.
- Resentment and complaint are appropriate neither for oneself or others.
- Do not let yourself be guided by feelings of lust or love.
- In all things have no preference.
- Be indifferent to where you live.
- Do not pursue the taste of good food.
- Do not hold on to possessions you no longer need.
- Do not act following customary beliefs.
- Do not collect weapons or practice with weapons beyond what is useful.
- Do not fear death.
- Do not seek to possess either goods or fiefs for your old age.
- Respect Buddah and other gods without counting on their help.
- You may abandon your own body but you must preserve your honour.
- Never stray from the Way.