Shoto Niju Kun - the twenty precepts of Gichin Funakoshi
Inspired his master's (Anko Itosu) ten articles of karate, Sensei Funakoshi wrote down his twenty precepts (published in 1938), excellent advice for all students of karate ...
Karate begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy
There is no first attack in karate
Karate is an aid to justice
First know yourself before attempting to know others
Mentatlity comes before technique
Always be ready to release your mind
Accidents arise from negligence
Do not think that Karate training is only in the dojo
Karate is a life-long pursuit
Put your everyday living into Karate and you will find the subtle secrets
Karate is like boiling water. If you do not heat it constantly, it will cool
Do not think that you have to win, think rather that you do not have to lose
Victory depends on your ability to distinguish vulnerable points from invulnerable ones
The battle is according to how you move guarded or unguarded. Move according to your opponent
Think of the hands and feet as swords
When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you. It is your behaviour that invites trouble from them
Formal stances are for beginners. Later, one stands naturally
Practice kata exactly; actual fighting is another matter
Do not forget to correctly apply: strength and weakness of power, expansion and contraction of the body and the different speed of technique
Always think of and devise ways to live the precepts every day