Karate begins and ends with courtesy.
Karate ni sente nashi.
There is no first attack in karate.
Karate wa gi no tasuke.
Karate is an assistance to justice.
Mazu jiko wo shire, shikoshite tao wo shire.
Know yourself before you know others.
Gijutsu yori shinjutsu.
Spirit before technique.
Kokoro wa hanatan koto wo yosu.
Be ready to free your mind.
Wazawai wa getai ni shozu.
Accidents come from inattention.
Dojo nomino karate to omou na.
Karate training is not only in the dojo.
Karate no shugyo wa issho de aru.
You will never stop learning karate.
Arai-yuru mono wo karate-ka seyo, soko ni myo-mi ari.
Make karate part of your life and you will find myo (hidden secrets).
Karate wa yu no goto shi taezu natsudo wo ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru.
Karate is like hot water. If not given continual heat, it will go cold.
Katsu kangae wa motsu na makenu kangae wa hitsuyo.
Do not think you must win. Instead, think that you do not have to lose.
Tekki ni yotte tenka seyo.
Adapt yourself subject to your opponent.
Tattakai wa kyo-jitsu no soju ikan ni ari.
The fight depends on your handling of your marksmanship.
Hito no te ashi wo ken to omoe.
Think that your hands and feet are swords.
Danshi mon wo izureba hyakuman no tekki ari.
Be aware of your actions so as not to invite trouble.
Kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai.
First master low stances, then natural posture.
Kata wa tadashiku jissen wa betsu mono.
Practicing kata is no substitute for the real thing.
Chikara no kyojaku, karada no shinshuku, waza no kankyu wo wasaruna.
Hard and soft, tension and relaxation, quick and slow, all connected with correct breathing.
Tsune ni shinen kufu seyo.
Think of ways to apply these precepts every day.
Ossu
Linden
PS Many new karateka ask, how often should I train? Well i believe the question should be, what sort of person am I and do I have the right attitude for karate practice?
