Quickness vs Speed: The Spirit of Timely Action
This martial teaching distinguishes timing and readiness from moving as fast as possible. A calm fighter adjusts to the opponent’s rhythm rather than sacrificing control in pursuit of speed.
THE IDEA
HOW TO THINK OF SPEED
Some schools think that speed is all that is necessary to win fights. If you can make a fast slash and win, all the better. I do not agree with this idea and think that it in fact slows you down. You are again relying on an external concept. What is speed anyway? Speed is relative to the situation in which you are involved. Being fast or being slow has to do with speed. Quickness is what you want in your spirit. A quick spirit is able to overcome any apparent speed with which an enemy is coming at you. Quickness gets inside of speed and enables you to control the situation by killing the enemy. When you advance, you advance quickly and get immediately to the point. Your speed is dependent upon the speed of the enemy. You adjust yourself accordingly and do not think in terms of being faster or slower. Quickness is the thing that counts. What is more, if you are constantly moving fast you will have no time to maintain your poise and timing. Your rhythm will start to get out of control because you will tire and start to move slower, perhaps without even realizing it.
When you are skilled in the art you have chosen to study, you will have the true understanding of rhythm and timing necessary to perform flawlessly. Perfection can only be based on true calmness within the soul and any attempt to radically change for no good reason will throw the entire attitude of calmness out of harmony. Move naturally and gracefully. Execute correctly. Think about this.
Quickness is the thing on which the spirit relies. Speed, not being necessarily good, can only cause you to lose your control. If you move too fast or too slowly, you may give your enemy the advantage necessary to beat you. Always move naturally and calmly, with great resolve to destroy the enemy.
In a large battle with many men, everyone will move with their own rhythm and timing. Not being influenced by others is essential if you are to be able to beat men in a fight. You absolutely must train diligently in this regard. When you are your own self and are not concerned with the motions of others, you will be in control of the situation and in control of the enemy and the movements with which he may or may not attack you. Keeping calm is essential to not losing sight of your main purpose in a fight, to kill the enemy quickly.
When to use it
Martial arts training – focusing on timing and rhythm drills rather than raw speed.
Public speaking – pausing deliberately and adjusting pace to the audience's reactions.
Negotiation – listening fully before responding to find the opportune moment.
Sports performance – staying calm under pressure to make split-second decisions based on the opponent's movement.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Sword Duel Adaptation
A skilled fencer does not try to be the fastest; instead, they read the opponent's rhythm and strike at the exact moment the opponent is off-balance. This 'quick' action wins the duel even if the fencer's raw speed is lower than the opponent's.
Everyday Decision-Making
In a negotiation, someone resists the urge to reply immediately, hears the other person’s concern, and then responds to it. The analogy emphasizes readiness and timing rather than the fastest reply.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a time you acted quickly but lost control. How would a 'quick spirit' have changed the outcome?
In your daily work or interactions, where do you confuse speed with effectiveness? How can you cultivate more natural timing?
How does the idea of not being influenced by others' rhythms apply to group work or competitive environments?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Musashis book of five rings the definitive interpretation of Miyamoto Musashis classic book of strategy (Kaufman, SteveMiyamoto, Musashi)