* do not scheme for physical pleasure*
The second of the twenty one tenets of "The Way of Walking Alone".
Well… I think we all know to some degree how exactly this applies to us today. Do not scheme for physical pleasure.
Scheme. What is in a word. To scheme is to "form an elaborate or systematic plan of action" according to the dictionary. What is it that most guys say when they go out. "Man, I really hope I get laid tonight. I got this new cologne, check out these new cloths… man I am going to knock them dead tonight." They do everything they can, spend money and energy, just so they can go "get some."
Of course, Musashi spent very little time in his life in the arms of a woman. Historically, he has been counted as a loner and somewhat of a standoffish and brute. It would seem that he did not want to own the affection of anyone, quite content with the awe and admiration he found from the deeds and exploits that he was legend for.
In this way, I believe that Musashi is showing us what I believe to be an underlying truth in the tenet, is that don't scheme for something as fickle and flighty as physical pleasure. Sure, Musashi had a little bit more to say about love, but in this alone, I believe the wisdom is to not let something you want twist your actions, lifestyle or wallet for that matter. It amounts to wasted energy and usually unfulfilled dreams. Energy and time that could be spent actually bettering oneself… something Musashi seemed a strong supporter of
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