Ghost Dog quotes from Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999)

Ghost Dog

The Way of the Samurai is found in death. Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily. Every day when one's body and mind are at peace, one should meditate upon being ripped apart by arrows, rifles, spears and swords, being carried away by surging waves, being thrown into the midst of a great fire, being struck by lightning, being shaken to death by a great earthquake, falling from thousand-foot cliffs, dying of disease or committing seppuku at the death of one's master. And every day without fail one should consider himself as dead. This is the substance of the way of the samurai.

Ghost Dog

It is bad when one thing becomes two. One should not look for anything else in the Way of the Samurai. It is the same for anything that is called a Way. If one understands things in this manner, he should be able to hear about all ways and be more and more in accord with his own.

Ghost Dog

If one were to say in a word what the condition of being a samurai is, its basis lies first in seriously devoting one's body and soul to his master.

Ghost Dog

It is a good viewpoint to see the world as a dream. When you have something like a nightmare, you will wake up and tell yourself that it was only a dream. It is said that the world we live in is not a bit different from this.

Ghost Dog

Among the maxims on Lord Naoshige's wall, there was this one: "Matters of great concern should be treated lightly." Master Ittei commented, "Matters of small concern should be treated seriously."

Ghost Dog

In the words of the ancients, one should make his decision within the space of seven breaths. It is a matter of being determined and having the spirit to break through to the other side.

Ghost Dog

Even if one's head were to be suddenly cut off, he should be able to do one more action with certainty. With martial valor, if one becomes like a revengeful ghost and shows great determination, though his head is cut off, he should not die.

Ghost Dog

There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.

Ghost Dog

Our bodies are given life from the midst of nothingness. Existing where there is nothing is the meaning of the phrase, "form is emptiness." That all things are provided for by nothingness is the meaning of the phrase, "Emptiness is form." One should not think that these are two separate things.

Ghost Dog

When one has made a decision to kill a person, even if it will be very difficult to succeed by advancing straight ahead, it will not do to think about doing it in a long, roundabout way. One's heart may slacken, he may miss his chance, and by and large there will be no success. The Way of the Samurai is one of immediacy, and it is best to dash in headlong.

Ghost Dog

It is said that what is called "the spirit of an age" is something to which one cannot return. That this spirit gradually dissipates is due to the world's coming to an end. In the same way, a single year does not have just spring or summer. A single day, too, is the same. For this reason, although one would like to change today's world back to the spirit of one hundred years or more ago, it cannot be done. Thus it is important to make the best out of every generation.

Ghost Dog

There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the moment. A man's whole life is a succession of moment after moment. If one fully understands the present moment, there is nothing left to do, and nothing else to pursue.

Ghost Dog

It is good to carry some powdered rouge in one's sleeve. It may happen that when one is sobering up or waking from sleep, a samurai's complexion may be poor. At such a time it is good to take out and apply some powdered rouge. (01:08:50)

Ghost Dog

Now you gonna be the boss of your own clan, right, Louie? 'Cause... ain't nobody else left. Ain't that right, Louie?

Ghost Dog

You know, in ancient cultures, bears were considered equal with men.

This ain't no ancient culture here, mister.

Ghost Dog

Sometimes it is.

Louie

Goddamn it. You shot me in the exact same **** place as last time!

Ghost Dog

I'm sorry. I mean you no disrespect. You're my retainer. I don't want to put too many holes in you.

Pearline

Can't you understand what he's saying?

Ghost Dog

No, I don't understand him. I don't speak French, only English. I never understand a word he says. "

Pearline

And that's your best friend?

Ghost Dog

Yeah.

Louie

You gonna kill me, you might as well kill me.

Ghost Dog

I'm your retainer. I follow a code. I've always given you my respect.

Louie

So that's why you got that big ****in' gun to my head?

Ghost Dog

Forgive me. I don't mean you no disrespect.

Louie

Go ahead, kill me now.

Ghost Dog

I'm your retainer. It's against the code of the Samurai to kill you.

Louie

Look, if you're my retainer -- whatever the **** that is -- do what I'm telling you and ****in' shoot me! [Ghost Dog shoots him in the shoulder] What the hell'd you do that for?

Ghost Dog

You told me to. I don't mean you no disrespect.

Samurai in Camouflage

Ghost Dog, power, equality.

Ghost Dog

Always see everything, my brother.

Louie

It's like you said -- better you than me, right? Nothing makes any sense anymore...

Ghost Dog

It's okay, Louie. I've seen everything I need to see. Do me one favor, though. One favor.

Louie

What do you want me to do?

Ghost Dog

You take this book and read it some time. Then later on, you can tell me what you think.

Louie

Yeah. Sure, I will.