Motonari's philosophy can be summarized as follows: 'No matter how rich and prosperous the family of a world-conqueror may be, it will not last forever as its branches will wither and its roots will die out.
なお、元就の遺言とは大略では、「天下を支配する者は如何に栄耀栄華を誇っても、何代かのちには一門の枝折れ、株絶えて、末代の子孫まで続くことは無い。