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