What is "of no use"

[risingdragon]

In the ground book of "go rin no sho" (book of five rings) Miyamoto Musashi writes "Do nothing which is of no use". The martial application of this is obvious, I am interested in life application. Every action has a cause and effect, this means that everythin we do has a use, doesn't it? What do you think?

[Zamfoo]

Everything we do may have a "use" but they aren't all positive or nessasary. I think that the quote means to rid yourself of all but the essentials.

[KenpoDavid]

if your nose doesn't itch, don't pick it.

[risingdragon]

If you are aware of everything inside and out, you could do a million seemingly pointless things without them being useless. It is a mental attitude to call things useless or needed, it is an opinion. As long as you are concious in what you do, everthing, even stupid things, are usefull. Forget what Musashi wrote and read this: "be concious in every move", is this so different from what he wrote?

[nzric]

Everything is 'potentially' useful, but I think the point Musashi was making was to say "do not make no-use of anything" (i.e. appreciate the use of whatever you do and work to bring that use to the maximum, instead of letting the opportunity to learn/work pass you by).

[risingdragon]

Everything is 'potentially' useful, but I think the point Musashi was making was to say "do not make no-use of anything" (i.e. appreciate the use of whatever you do and work to bring that use to the maximum, instead of letting the opportunity to learn/work pass you by).

There is alot to be said for this quote by Musashi
Thankyou nzric

[risingdragon]

Before "Do nothing which is of no use" Musashi writes "Pay attention even to trifles". Put these quotes together and you have: do all, see all.

[TigerAnsTKDLove]

i think everything has a use good or bad. we are only human...

[Poop-Loops]

Small talk. I avoid it at all cost. Same with watching TV. Especially sports on TV. I can't see how watching some guys swing a piece of wood at a ball for 5 hours could be the slightest bit productive. Football maybe, if you play it and want to see other people's strategies and such.

PL

[nzric]

I always feel there's something wrong with sitting on my a** on the couch on a sunny Sunday afternoon to watch other people throw a ball around.

[risingdragon]

Can you not think of a use for the sitting and watching sport?

[nzric]

Helps my beer settle faster! :)

[shootodog]

best that it is explained by the man who beat musashi miyamoto:

"right-mindednedss is when desire or wealth is overcome"
-takuan soho (rev)

[Andrew Green]

In the ground book of "go rin no sho" (book of five rings) Miyamoto Musashi writes "Do nothing which is of no use". The martial application of this is obvious, I am interested in life application. Every action has a cause and effect, this means that everythin we do has a use, doesn't it? What do you think?


Decide on what you are trying to do, then you can decide what is of use.

I'm trying to start a fire.

Threading a needle is of no use.

But if I where trying to sew something it would be.

[shootodog]

Decide on what you are trying to do, then you can decide what is of use.

I'm trying to start a fire.

Threading a needle is of no use.

But if I where trying to sew something it would be.
yes! yes! yes! that's it!