Especially the theory of legitimate reasons was a model of Saigo's activity, and he thought that the ancient culture of Japan, tradition (including the Emperor) and morality were these legitimate reasons, and in protecting them from invasion by imperialistic countries, and that he was brought up for that.
特に大義名分論は西郷の行動の規範になったもので、日本古来の文化・伝統（天皇も含む）・道徳を大義とし、これを帝国主義諸国の侵略から守り、育てることが、その実践であると考えていた。