The Twenty Precepts
1. Karate-do wa rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru koto wo wasuruna. Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy.
2. Karate ni sente nashi. There is no first attack in karate.
3. Karate wa gi no tasuke. Karate is an aid to justice.
4. Mazu jiko wo shire, shikoshite tao wo shire. First know yourself before attempting to know others.
5. Gijutsu yori shinjutsu. Spirit first, technique second.
6. Kokoro wa hanatan koto wo yosu. Always be ready to release your mind.
7. Wazawai wa getai ni shozu. Accidents arise from negligence.
8. Dojo nomino karate to omou na. Do not think that karate training is only in the dojo.
9. Karate no shugyo wa issho de aru. It will take your entire life to learn karate, there is no limit.
10. Arai-yuru mono wo karate-ka seyo, soko ni myo-mi ari. Apply karate to everything. Therein lies its beauty.
11. Karate wa yu no goto shi taezu natsudo wo ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru. Karate is like boiling water. If you do not heat it constantly, it will cool.
12. Katsu kangae wa motsu na makenu kangae wa hitsuyo. Do not think of winning. Instead, think that you must never lose.
13. Tekki ni yotte tenka seyo. Make adjustments according to your opponent.
14. Tattakai wa kyo-jitsu no soju ikan ni ari. The outcome of a fight depends on how you handle weaknesses and strengths.
15. Hito no te ashi wo ken to omoe. Think of hands and feet as swords.
16. Danshi mon wo izureba hyakuman no tekki ari. When you leave home, think that you have numerous opponents waiting for you.
17. Kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai. Beginners must master low stance and posture; natural body positions are for the advanced.
18. Kata wa tadashiku jissen wa betsu mono. Practicing a kata is one thing, engaging in a real fight is another.
19. Chikara no kyojaku, karada no shinshuku, waza no kankyu wo wasaruna. Hard and soft, tension and relaxation, quick and slow, are all connected in the technique.
20. Tsune ni shinen kufu seyo. Think of ways to apply these precepts every day.
