Pithy Prose for Politicians, Preachers, Professors, Pundits, and Public Speakers.
Many Japanese believed the United States to be a hollow shell, it’s people divided politically, softened by luxurious living and decadent morals, no match for the tough, disciplined men of Japan. Gordon Prange, author of At Dawn We Slept
Japan has faced many worthy opponents in her glorious history – Mongols, Chinese, Russians – but in this operation we will meet the strongest and most resourceful opponent of all. Isoroku Yamamoto, CINC of Japanese combined fleet prior to Pearl Harbor
It is the custom of bushido to select an equal or stronger opponent. On this score you have nothing to complain about – the American navy is a good match for the Japanese navy. Isoroku Yamamoto, CINC of Japanese combined fleet prior to Pearl Harbor
What a strange position I find myself in – having to pursue with full determination a course of action which is diametrically opposed to my best judgement and firmest conviction. That too, perhaps, is fate. Isoroku Yamamoto, CINC of Japanese combined fleet prior to Pearl Harbor
Since even one or two reshuffles in the high ranking posts would influence the morale of the whole fleet, I do not want to see any change at this moment. Isoroku Yamamoto, CINC of Japanese combined fleet prior to Pearl Harbor
Too many steersmen will send the ship climbing the mountain. Japanese proverb
Even a rabbit will bite if it is fooled three times. Japanese proverb
