Wiki on Ito Hirobumi  in Japanese shows some more his interesting
quotes. See below with my translation.

言行 [編集]

「大いに屈する人を恐れよ、いかに剛にみゆるとも、言動に余裕と味のない人は大事をなすにたらぬ」

Respect those who bend. Those who have no relaxation and taste no
matter how they seem strong will not do any big thing.

「今日の学問は全て皆、実学である。昔の学問は十中八九までは虚学である」

The current studies are all real while the studies in the past
are almost all of them not real.

「いやしくも天下に一事一物を成し遂げようとすれば、命懸けのことは始終ある。依頼心を起こしてはならぬ。自力でやれ」

If you want to do something to change the nation you will often
face a chance to risk your life. Do not rely on others,  do it by
yourself.

「お前に何でも俺の志を継げよと無理は言はぬ。持って生まれた天分ならば、たとえお前が乞食になったとて、俺は決して悲しまぬ。金持
ちになったとて、喜びもせぬ」

I will not order you to follow my way. If you are so destined, I
will not feel sorry even if you become a beggar and will not feel
pleased either even if you become rich.

「たとえここで学問をして業が成っても、自分の生国が亡びては何の為になるか」

Even if you succeed in study and business if the nation collapses
what is your success for?

「本当の愛国心とか勇気とかいうものは、肩をそびやかしたり、目を怒らしたりするようなものではない」

Real patriotism or courage is not showing off it by swinging the
shoulders with raged eyes.

「国の安危存亡に関係する外交を軽々しく論じ去つて、何でも意の如く出来るが如くに思ふのは、多くは実験のない人の空論である」

Superficially speaking on the diplomacy related with the life an
death of your own nation and considering that you can do anything
as you like is mere void logic of  inexperienced people.

T. Shinoda

“Every one is aware of the pre-eminent position of Ito in history and in the tremendous progress of Japan. But all may not know that it was Ito who conceived the course, means and aim of that progress and achieved that great transformation single-handed, all the other great men were only his instruments. It was Ito indeed who conceived in his mind the unity, independence, education, army, navy, economic prosperity, commerce and politics of Japan and translated that dream into reality.
He was preparing the future Japanese empire. Whatever he did he achieved mostly from behind the scenes. The world learns immediately of what the Kaiser or Lloyd George is thinking or doing. But no one knew what Ito was thinking or doing — when his secret imagination and effort bore fruit, only then the world learnt with astonishment: this was being prepared so long. And yet what great effort, what wonderful genius is manifested in his achievement. If Ito had been used to publicise his great vision, the whole world would have laughed at him as a mad idealist given to fruitless dreams and bent upon achieving the impossible. Who would have believed that within fifty years, Japan would, maintaining its priceless independence, absorb western culture, become a very powerful nation like England, France and Germany, defeat China and Russia, spread Japanese trade and commerce and painting, and also induce admiration for the Japanese intelligence and fear of Japanese courage, capture Korea and Formosa, lay the foundation of a great empire, achieve the utmost progress in unity, freedom, equality and national education. Napoleon used to say: “I have banished the word ‘impossible’ from my dictionary”. Ito did not say but in fact did so. Ito’s achievement is greater than Napoleon’s. We should have no regret that the great man has been killed by a bullet of an assassin. It is a matter of gratification, of good fortune and something to be proud of that one who dedicated his