Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate
- Do not forget that Karate-do begins and ends with rei (Respect)
- There is no first strike in Karate
- Karate stands on the side of justice
- First know yourself, then know others
- Mentality over technique
- The minds must be set free
- Calamity springs from carelessness
- Karate goes beyond the dojo
- Karate is a life long pursuit
- Apply the way of Karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty
- Karate is like boiling water: without heat, it returns to its tepid state
- Do not think winning. Think, rather, of not losing
- Make adjustments according to your opponent
- The outcome of a battle depends on how one handles emptiness and fullness (weakness and strength)
- Think of the opponent’s hands and feet as swords
- When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies
- Kamae is for beginners; later, one stands in shizentai
- Perform kata exactly; actual combat is another matter
- Do not forget the employment or withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of technique
- Be constantly mindful, diligent, and resourceful in your pursuit of the Way
