Aces High: A Maverick Journal

[Johannesbrst]

Hi there,

I got interested in Musashi after you mentioned it and wrote put up "The book of five rings" on my to-read list, but I couldn't find the quote you were paraphrasing above, will I find it in the book? Love it.

The variation of the quote differs based on who did the translation of the book. The closest that I found is the following - generally speaking, the way of the warrior is resolute acceptance of death. 

Historians basically came to view that quote as a warrior has to go into battle ready to die, and ultimately that is what leads to a warriors survival. 

The book of five rings is many things, a fantastic book on strategy is one of its many things. 

Another great book I recommend for all men to read is Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. 

I think you will find a lot of wisdom from both books. 
Generally speaking, the Way of the oil

Thanks man,

Meditations have been on my reading list for a while now, I started reading Seneca but it was a bit too dense for me at the time. I've ordered meditations, perhaps I'm in a more adequate place to take texts like that in. I read Aurelius based some of his work on Seneca so perhaps it's a bit of a synthesis.

I ordered the five rings as well, looking forward reading it. I like eastern philosophy in general and really appreciated reading Tao te ching, it really gives you some food for thought if you stay with its texts and reflect upon them.

By the way - I'm currently reading the works of an russian-american philosopher called Ayn Rand, I've finished her magnum opus Atlas Shrugged and I'm currently reading The Fountainhead. If you enjoy reading about human (and mans) ultimate potential, I think you would enjoy her writings. I think they are marvellous, potentially my favourite books of all time. Previously having Steinbeck as an all time favourite, a little different focus, but also a wonderful writer describing human lives and conditions. Ayn Rand is more romantic in that sense, writing about "what could be", while I find Steinbeck more about "this is what is".

Just a little rant about literature. Happy new year! 

PS. Really looking forward getting my hand on the product description of Maverick, being a bit envious about you being a bit down the journey in discovering it.

EDIT:

By the way you were saying that Maverick made you more masculine, have you noticed being more masculine toward women and they responding more feminine to you?