Musashi - Eiji Yoshikawa [56]
“Is that a promise or a threat? If you really think you can do it, I’ll stay down here and wait. Are you sure you can keep it up without killing yourself before the rope breaks?”
“Shut up!” Takezō screamed hoarsely.
“Say, Takezō, you really are strong! The whole tree is swaying. But I don’t notice the earth shaking, sorry to say. You know, the trouble with you is that, in reality, you’re weak. Your kind of anger is nothing more than personal malice. A real man’s anger is an expression of moral indignation. Anger over petty emotional trifles is for women, not men.”
“It won’t be long now,” he threatened. “I’ll go straight for the neck!”
Takezō struggled on, but the thick rope showed no sign of weakening. Takuan looked on for a time, then offered some friendly advice. “Why don’t you cut that out, Takezō—you’re getting nowhere. You’ll just wear yourself out, and what good is that going to do you? Squirm and wriggle all you like, you couldn’t break a single branch of this tree, much less make a dent in the universe.”
Takezō gave out a mighty groan. His tantrum was over. He realized the monk was right.
“I daresay all that strength would be put to better use working for the good of the country. You really should try doing something for others, Takezō, although it is a little late to start now. If you’d just tried, you’d have had a chance at moving the gods or even the universe, not to mention plain, everyday people.” Takuan’s voice took on a slightly pontifical tone. “It’s a pity, a great pity! Though you were born human, you’re more like an animal, no better than a boar or wolf. How sad it is that a handsome young man like you has to meet his end here, without ever having become truly human! What a waste!”
“You call yourself human?” Takezō spat.
“Listen, you barbarian! All along you’ve had too much confidence in your own brute strength, thinking you didn’t have a match in the world. But look where you are now!”
“I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. It wasn’t a fair fight.”
“In the long run, Takezō, it doesn’t make any difference. You were outwitted and outtalked instead of being out-pummeled. When you’ve lost, you’ve lost. And whether you like it or not, I’m sitting on this rock and you’re lying up there helpless. Can’t you see the difference between you and me!”
“Yeah. You fight dirty. You’re a liar and a coward!”
“It would have been crazy of me to try to take you by force. You’re too strong physically. A human being doesn’t have much chance wrestling a tiger. Luckily, he rarely has to, being the more intelligent of the two. Not many people would argue with the fact that tigers are inferior to humans.”
Takezō gave no indication that he was still listening.
“It’s the same with your so-called courage. Your conduct up till now gives no evidence that it’s anything more than animal courage, the kind that has no respect for human values and life. That’s not the kind of courage that makes a samurai. True courage knows fear. It knows how to fear that which should be feared. Honest people value life passionately, they hang on to it like a precious jewel. And they pick the right time and place to surrender it, to die with dignity.”
Still no answer.
“That’s what I meant when I said it’s a pity about you. You were born with physical strength and fortitude, but you lack both knowledge and wisdom. While you managed to master a few of the more unfortunate features of the Way of the Samurai, you made no effort to acquire learning or virtue. People talk about combining the Way of Learning with the Way of the Samurai, but when properly combined, they aren’t two—they’re one. Only one Way, Takezō.”
The tree was as silent as the rock on which Takuan sat. The darkness, too, was still. After several moments, Takuan rose slowly and deliberately. “Think about it one more night, Takezō. After you do, I’ll cut off your head for you.” He started walking away, taking long, thoughtful strides, his head bowed. He hadn’t gone more than twenty paces