Niju Kun

(20 Precepts of Karate)

1. Never forget: Karate begins with respect and ends with respect
2. There is no first attack in karate
3. In Karate, never attack first
4. One who practices Karate must follow the way of justice
5. First you must know yourself. Then you can know others
6. The art of the mind is more important than the are of the technique
7. You must release your mind
8. Trouble is born of negligence
9. The Training of Karate requires a lifetime
10. Do not think of Karate as only in the dojo
11. Genuine Karate is like hot water. If you do not give heat constantly it will again become cold.
12. Do not think you have to win. Think that you do not have to lose
13. Victory depends on your ability to tell vulnerable points from invulnerable ones
14. Move according to your opponent
15. Consider your opponent's hands and legs as you would sharp swords
16. Once you leave the shelter of home, there are a million enemies
17. Postures are for the beginner, later they are natural positions
18. Kata is one thing. Engaging in a real fight is another
19. Do not forget (1)strength and weakness of power, (2)expansion and contraction of the body, (3)slowness and speed of techniques
20. Always be good at the application of everything that you have learned

"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants"... Gichin Funakoshi