In the epic saga of Japanese history, few characters cast a greater shadow than the samurai. The samurai, the warrior class that fought for the Japanese nobility for centuries, are synonymous with discipline, honor and loyalty. But there was more to samurai than sheer martial prowess, for they also followed a strict ethical code ᅳ called Bushido (武⼟道), or “the way of the warrior.” This code, which traces its roots back to a combination of Zen Buddhism and Confucianism, described the values each samurai should uphold in life and death.

The seven timeless values of the Samurai

The following are the seven principles that the samurai lived in by way of Bushido: Gi (義 - integrity), Isamu (勇 - bravery), Jin (仁 - kindness and compassion), Rei (礼 - politeness), Makoto (誠 - honesty), Meiyo (名誉 - to enjoy the honor), and Chuugi (忠義 - to be loyal). The code by which the samurai lived and died not only guided them in their actions, but also carry lessons for how we can live better lives, even in today’s age.

1. Integrity (義 - Gi)

Gi, the principle of integrity or righteousness, lay at the very core of the samurai’s code. Bushi, the samurai, taught that integrity means not only following a moral code, but following the highest truth and justice. Gi dictates a samurai always does what is right, regardless of the cost or consequences to himself.
Integrity, for them, was about having a strong sense of justice and acting in accordance. It motivated samurai to do not what worked out best for them as individuals, but for everyone involved. As an example, the samurai would rather face an opponent directly in combat than attack from behind; fighting face-to-face was the more honorable approach.
Even in these times, when the world is in such chaos, Gi gives us guidance to live a life based on morals. When we do the right thing, we ensure our deeds are in accordance with a sense of equity and justice, whether in business, interrelationships, or individual goals. It reminds us that integrity means doing the right thing, even when it might feel hard to do so.
With Gi, we learn that integrity is not the way people view us; it is a question of being true to what we believe in, and valuing who we are. It is about making hard decisions that we can follow up on when it matters, about living our lives in such a way that earns admiration, not out of fear or power, but out of righteousness.

Discover the artwork inspired by this moral value here.

2. Bravery (勇 - Isamu)  

Isamu (勇 - bravery) was another Bushido foundation. For the samurai, courage did not simply consist of physical courage on the battlefield, but of the inner power to deal with fear, pain, and doubt. Bravery involved staying on one’s feet in the face of danger, be it from war or the cause of justice.
True courage, the samurai believed, was self-sacrifice. It involved prioritizing the well-being of another (i.e., one’s lord, one’s family, one’s comrades) over one’s own. It’s most obvious in the samurai act of seppuku, or ritual suicide, committed to redeem honor when one’s action had brought shame. Seppuku was the epitome of courage: to die with dignity rather than living in disgrace.  
And now, Isamu shows itself in the courage to take risks, the fight to defend what is right, and to confront adversity on both an individual and professional level. It’s having the courage to protest injustice when it’s not popular, and act in the face of fear and the unknown.
We can learn a great deal from Isamu about how to keep going when things go wrong. You need to be strong enough to stand tough and never quit. When we feel doubtful and afraid, the virtue of courage helps us reach our goals and live life with purpose and conviction.

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3. Kindness and compassion (仁 - Jin)

Jin (仁 - kindness and compassion) is the gentle face of the samurai. Although they were trained warriors, samurai also had to be benevolent and helpful to the weak and the needy. Jin meant deploying strength and power in the service of others, not oneself.
To be compassionate within Bushido was to be able to recognize the pain of others and act to resolve it. It might involve charity, care for the less fortunate, or even mercy to a fallen enemy. The samurai were made to realize that it was not only when we can defeat people that we are strong: we also need to be able to love and guard them.
Even now, Jin teaches us to be empathic and kind to others. It reminds us that even in our competitive world, there is always time for love. Whether at work, in our communities, or with ourselves, to practice Jin is to think about the people around us and how we can improve their lives.
Jin also calls for a balance between strength and gentleness. We should empower and lift other people, not subjugate them. When we choose to be kind and compassionate, our relationships will be more solid and stable and our world more just and compassionate.

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4. Politeness (礼 - Rei)  

Rei (礼 - politeness) was central to samurai manners and practices. Politeness in Bushido didn’t mean just adhering to conventions, but showing respect and consideration of others at all times. Rei, for the samurai, was an expression of their own inner character and discipline.
Rei was applied to everything that a samurai did and said, how he dressed and spoke, how he treated friends, his masters, and even his enemies. This was a value inextricably tied to the concept of harmony in society. Respectful and polite, the samurai promoted respect and mutual understanding, which helped avoid wars, and maintained a civil society.
Humility was part of the Rei practice, too. Samurai were supposed to be humble, despite success, and to treat all others with respect and dignity, no matter who or what they were. Such humility was the samurai’s acknowledgment that strength did not come from pride, but from inner confidence and a deep respect for everyone around them.
We can learn from Rei to treat others respectfully and courteously, no matter their position or situation. It shows us that being polite is not just about manners, but about actually valuing and respecting other people. Even in a culture where rudeness and incivility are commonplace, by adopting the importance of Rei, we might foster more healthy and productive relationships, both at home and at work.
We should approach life with humbleness and grace. The world will be a better place if we recognize our own limitations and have a healthy respect for others.

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5. Honesty (誠 - Makoto)  

Makoto (誠 - honesty) denotes the samurai’s vow to be truthful and honest in everything. To be honest meant not just to speak the truth, but also to be true to oneself and to others. Makoto was the essence of a noble character—without honesty, other virtues such as integrity and honor would not apply.
Honesty in Bushido involved not lying or pretending. Samurai were not supposed to lie or play games. This was especially relatable to loyalty and trust, which was so important in their relationship with lords, as well as with other soldiers.
Makoto applied to the samurai’s self-identification, too. It meant being truthful about one’s strengths and weaknesses and always improving oneself. This inner reflection was important to the samurai’s self-improvement, as it meant they could look at their failures and strive to become better warriors and better human beings.
Today, Makoto demonstrates how we must be true to one another and ourselves. Truthful and sincere communications increase trust and credibility, whether it is for work, personal connections, or even your own personal life. It makes your relationships stronger because trust is at the core of all good relationships.
And Makoto also instructs us to be real with ourselves. It invites us to think about what we are doing, why we are doing it, and why we want to do it, so that we will choose what is good for us and what we believe in. Because we’re truthful, then we’ll lead more authentic and honest lives, making decisions that are true to who we are and what we believe in.

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6. Honor (名誉 - Meiyo)

Meiyo (名誉 - honor) was perhaps the most important principle of the samurai’s code. Honor for the samurai was not just a personal thing—it extended to the honor of the family, the lord, and their clan. Honor meant everything, and keeping it was the ultimate priority, even more so than life itself.
Bushido honor was linked to obligation and responsibility. The honor of a samurai depended on him doing the things he was required to do in the name of his lord, and in living up to his name and his code. Such duty sometimes led a samurai to die rather than live with shame—this is the essence of seppuku.
Meiyo was also about being an individual that others respected. It was to treat other people with dignity, humility, and respect, showing courage and honesty in all circumstances. A samurai’s honor was not only about how one was received by others, but also about self-respect and living in accordance with Bushido ideals.
In today’s world, Meiyo tells us how to lead lives of integrity and honor that earn the respect of others. For us, honor is not something that we can either live or die by, but rather what we can do to preserve our reputation and our self-respect. It means being proud of what we do and what we stand for.
We are also reminded of accountability. To live with honor in a world where actions often have far-reaching consequences means taking responsibility for what we do and the impact it has on others. It’s being trusted, being trustworthy, and being respected by others.
And Meiyo also asks us to consider our legacy—how we will be remembered after we’re gone. As the samurai thought of how what they did would affect the honor of family and clan, so, too, can we think about how what we do today will affect our own legacy? When we live our lives with dignity, we want to be remembered for the right reasons, as someone who made a positive impact on the world.

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7. Loyalty (忠義 - Chuugi)  

The last foundational Bushido value is Chuugi (忠義 - loyalty). Loyalty was the samurai’s most distinctive characteristic, being the glue that bound feudal Japan together. Loyalty to one’s lord was top priority for a samurai but also to one’s family, one’s friends, and Bushido itself.
Loyalty in Bushido meant unwavering dedication. An emperor expected a samurai to honor his master to the point of death. That fidelity was not preconditional, it was absolute and non-negotiable. Lord and vassal were in a mutually respectful and trusting relationship whereby the samurai served in return for protection.
Chuugi also involved a deep sense of duty and responsibility. A samurai’s loyalty lay not only just in words but also in actions—in how he fulfilled his role in maintaining his guardians’ safety. Loyalty was a samurai’s highest expression of honor and decency.
Chuugi teaches us in the present that we, too, must show loyalty. Loyalty to family, friends, our employers, our values—these are all the things that matter. It’s being there for people we love even when things are going wrong, and being someone others can always count on.
Loyalty also encourages us to live up to promises and obligations. It’s a fact that people today rarely think about loyalty. But Chuugi asks us to stick with our commitments no matter what. It’s about being reliable and consistent—about honoring what we promise to others.
What’s more, Chuugi asks us to reflect on our allegiances and how we express them. It calls on us to place importance on the people and causes we care about most, and to make sure we live up to our promises. Loyalty means we maintain stronger relationships with friends and family, as well as within our communities.
Importance of Samurai Values in the Present Day.

Discover the artwork inspired by this moral value here.

Even though the samurai age is long gone, the ideals of Bushido still have a lot of relevance for us today. In a world consumed with self-interest and self-gratification, values such as courage, politeness, courtesy, sincerity, dignity, and loyalty are often sadly lacking. It’s a reminder for us to live with intention, dignity, and commitment.
These are the moral principles guiding ethical living, providing a roadmap for how to deal with the uncertainties of modernity. In personal relationships, at work, and in everyday life, the principles of Bushido can guide us to make choices that count.
Building Stronger Relationships.

Bushido values can make a difference in the ways in which we relate to one another. The values of honesty, integrity, and loyalty are what trust is based upon—and relationships cannot survive without trust. By adopting such values, we can have better, richer relationships with the people around us—within our families, our friendships, and our workplaces. 
Kindness and courtesy, in turn, promote mutual respect and acceptance. In a world full of conflict, these values encourage us to treat others with decency and respect, so as to create a community of peace and harmony.

Fostering Personal Growth  

That the samurai took personal responsibility to improve himself is another lesson that has not been forgotten. If we are honest with ourselves—understanding our strengths and weaknesses–we can start on a journey of self-improvement. Self-reflection helps us become the best versions of ourselves, at home and at work.
The same goes for bravery, which also contributes to personal development. By taking risks, we can accomplish a lot more, even if we’re scared or uncertain of the outcome.

Upholding Ethical Standards

In a world where morality is a thing of the past, Bushido’s ideals are an important reminder to do the right thing, even when it’s hard. These values encourage us to think about the bigger impact of our actions and to work for something that’s good for us and society as a whole.
Loyalty and accountability call upon us to honor commitments and to be reliable and trustworthy in everything we do. As a result of these principles, we adopt an attitude of accountability and trust that is vital for the success of any community or institution.

Creating a Legacy of Honor  

And finally, the samurai’s emphasis on honor and legacies offers a lesson for us today. Whereas people today only care about immediate gratification, the beauty of Meiyo requires that we consider the impact of what we do for the longer term. What do we want to be remembered for? How do we want to be remembered?
When we live with dignity, when we live with truth, with courage, with generosity, with civility, with sincerity, and with honor, then we can leave a good impression on the world. In all of our lives, at work or at home, our legacy rests on what we do day-in and day-out.

The Final Word: The Lasting Legacy of Bushido

The virtues of the samurai, expressed in Bushido’s code, consist of ageless advice for living in the modern world. These ideals—integrity, courage, goodness, politeness, sincerity, honor, and loyalty—are not mere remnants of the past but ideals that we can adapt to our own era.
When we live up to these ideals, we will have more powerful relationships, personal growth, moral virtue, and respect. In a chaotic and uncertain world, the wisdom of Bushido provides a firm guide that leads to a life of meaning, respect, and commitment.
As we go forward, let’s learn from the samurai and live our lives according to the best of those ancient ideals. From the little things we accomplish on a daily basis to life-changing choices, the warrior life reveals a pathway to a life full of purpose, dignity, and honor.