Although I don't have the details on this one, another popular Samurai lore is that a Samurai with a stick would hide behind a doorway, and strike other passing Samurais to quickly test their abilities.

An unskilled Samurai would be struck by the surprise attack. A skilled Samurai would be able to successfully deflect such an attack. But a Samurai who displays mastery in their skills... should be able to "sense it" and not step through the door at all.

The lore is so popular, it was even shown in Akira Kurosawa's famous movie, "The Seven Samurai".



In any case, the point of this illustration is that a skilled swordsman is able to anticipate in advance, not just respond, much less become a victim of a surprise attack.

The moral of the story is,"Foresight and preparation are the keys to the gate of success."

...I should get a job writing fortune cookies. Anyway, it's the eastern equivalent of "An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure."

And this is exactly why it's so important to have a sense of personal finance. Not just because it's to live life now, but also to be able to anticipate and prepare for future needs and potential problems ahead.

And this is also why I get funny looks from my friends when I tell them that I currently don't have enough (money). Because, from their point of view, they think I have it made. In the context of only the present, yes, I suppose I am doing well... for now. However, in the context of anticipating future needs, I am FAR from ready.

Now, as you are sitting and reading this, you may be nodding, "Yes BA. I get what you're saying, but... isn't this kind of obvious?" Funny, I thought so too. And yet, from other people's perspective, they think I'm being paranoid or greedy or some other negative connotation.

To me, to be able to foresee the future need of a house downpayment some day, for example, doesn't exactly qualify as paranoia or greed.

In all things in life, I strive to be that smart Samurai. The one who sees two steps ahead, and doesn't have a giant bruise on their forehead. Because... bruises hurt. And so do financial pitfalls.