Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969) was the founder of Aikido, which can be
translated as "The Art of Peace."
The following quotations have been compiled from his collected talks, poems,
and calligraphy, and from oral tradition.

The physical center is your belly; if your mind is set there as well, you
are assured of victory in any endeavor.
Know that we all have access to four treasures: the energy of the sun and
moon, the breath of heaven, the breath of earth, and the ebb and flow of the
tide.
Contemplate the workings of this world, listen to the words of the wise, and
take all that is good as your own. With this as your base, open your own
door to truth. Do not overlook the truth that is right before you. Study how
water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also
learn from holy books and wise people. Everything - even mountains, rivers,
plants and trees - should be your teacher.

Do not fail
To learn from
The pure voice of an
Ever-flowing mountain stream
Splashing over the rocks.

Instructors can impart only a fraction of the teaching. It is through your
own devoted practice that the mysteries of the Art of Peace are brought to
life.

Failure is the key to success;
Each mistake teaches us something.

Be grateful even for hardship, setbacks, and bad people. Dealing with such
obstacles is an essential part of training in the Art of Peace.

Life itself is always a trial. In training, you must test and polish
yourself in order to face the great challenges of life. Transcend the realm
of life and death, and then you will be able to make your way calmly and
safely through any crisis that confronts you.

You cannot see or touch the Divine with your gross senses. The Divine is
within you, not somewhere else. Unite yourself to the Divine, and you will
be able to perceive gods wherever you are, but do not try to grasp or cling
to them.

Do not look upon this world with fear and loathing. Bravely face whatever
the gods offer.

One should be prepared to receive ninety-nine percent of an enemy's attack
and stare death right in the face in order to illumine the Path.

Cast off limiting thoughts and return to true emptiness. Stand in the midst
of the Great Void. This is the secret of the Way of a Warrior.

In the Art of Peace we never attack. An attack is proof that one is out of
control. Never run away from any kind of challenge, but do not try to
suppress or control an opponent unnaturally. Let attackers come any way they
like and then blend with them.

The Way of a Warrior, the Art of Politics, is to stop trouble before it
starts. It consists in defeating your adversaries spiritually by making them
realize the folly of their actions. The Way of a Warrior is to establish
harmony.

If your heart is large enough to envelop your adversaries, you can see right
through them and avoid their attacks. And once you envelop them, you will be
able to guide them along the path indicated to you by heaven and earth.

The Art of Peace is the principle of nonresistance. Because it is
nonresistant, it is victorious from the beginning. Those with evil
intentions or contentious thoughts are instantly vanquished. The Art of
Peace is invincible because it contends with nothing.
There are no contests in the Art of Peace. A true warrior is invincible
because he or she contests with nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of
contention that we harbor within.
To injure an opponent is to injure yourself. To control aggression without
inflicting injury is the Art of Peace.
The Art of Peace is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of
evil desires and all falsehood within. On occasion the Voice of Peace
resounds like thunder, jolting human beings out of their stupor.

The essence of the Art of Peace is to cleanse yourself of maliciousness, to
get in tune with your environment, and to clear your path of all obstacles
and barriers.

Daily training in the Art of Peace allows you inner divinity to shine
brighter and brighter. Do not concern yourself with the right and wrong of
others. Do not be calculating or act unnaturally. Keep your mind set on the
Art of Peace, and do not criticize other teachers or traditions. The Art of
Peace never restrains, restricts, or shackles anything. It embraces all and
purifies everything.

Practice the Art of Peace sincerely, and evil thoughts and deeds will
naturally disappear. The only desire that should remain is the thirst for
more and more training in the Way.

Rely on Peace
To activate your
Manifold powers;
Pacify your environment
And create a beautiful world.

The Art of Peace is a form of prayer that generates light and heat. Forget
about your little self, detach yourself from objects, and you will radiate
light and warmth. Light is wisdom; warmth is compassion.