Quotes on Martial Arts

Once a kata has been learned, it must be practised repeatedly until it can be applied in an emergency, for knowledge of just the sequence of a kata in karate is useless.

Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.

Remember, success is a journey not a destination. Have faith in your ability. You will do just fine.

Moving, be like water. Still, be like a mirror. Respond like an echo.

Many people dedicate their lives to actualizing a concept of what they should be like, rather than actualizing themselves. This difference between self-actualization and self-image actualization is very important. Most people live only for their image

What is true stillness? Stillness in movement.

Effort within the mind further limits the mind, because effort implies struggle towards a goal and when you have a goal, a purpose, an end in view, you have placed a limit on the mind.

Make at least one definite move daily toward your goal.

There is no finish line. When you reach one goal, find a new one.

Goals achieved with little effort are seldom worthwhile or lasting.

The nation that will insist upon drawing a broad line of demarcation between the fighting man and the thinking man is liable to find its fighting done by fools and its thinking by cowards.

Truth has no path. Truth is living and, therefore, changing. Awareness is without choice, without demand, without anxiety; in that state of mind, there is perception. To know oneself is to study oneself in action with another person. Awareness has no frontier; it is giving of your whole being, without exclusion.

Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water.

Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they've got nothing to lose.

Where there is no style, there is no slave. Martial Arts mean honestly expressing yourself. No style. No slave.

Ask yourself what problem you have right now. Not next year, tomorrow or five minutes from now. You can always cope with the now, but you can never cope with the future. Nor do you have to. The answer, the strength and the right action will be there when you need it. Not before or after.

Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything.

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.

Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself.

A good teacher can never be fixed in a routine... each moment requires a sensitive mind that is constantly changing and constantly adapting. A teacher must never impose this student to fit his favourite pattern; a good teacher functions as a pointer, exposing his student's vulnerability and causing him to explore both internally and finally integrating himself with his being. Martial art should not be passed out indiscriminately.

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.