In battle, do not think that you have to win. Think rather that you do not have to lose.

The secret principle of martial arts is not vanquishing the attacker, but resolving to avoid an encounter before its occurrence. To become an object of an attack is an indication that there was an opening in one's guard, and the important thing is to be on guard at all times.

Karate begins and ends with courtesy.

Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with rei.

Karate is a defensive art from beginning to end.

In the past, it was expected that about three years were required to learn a single kata, and usually even an expert of considerable skill would only know three, or at most five, kata.

Spirit first, technique second.