1.Never forget that Karate begins and ends with respect. One Must have respect for the teaching, for one's fellow trainees, and respect and reverence for life. "Respect" is one of the qualities that distinguishes a human being from a brute animal.

2.There is no first attack in Karate. This is Funakoshi's best known maxim, and it is engraved on his tombstone. This principle is to be taken both litterally ("if trouble comes, block youre opponent's blows without striking in return; let him defeat himself") and figuraively ("Patience and fortitude are the marks of a true Karate practitioner").

3.Karate fosters righteousness. When one is true to oneself, society as a whole benefits.

4.First know yourself, and then know others. Funakoshi learned this from his Master Azato: "If you know yourself and know your opponents well, you will never lose."

5.Rather then physical technique, mental technique. This is another version of " Technique does not make the person; the person makes the technique."

6.Let your mind roam freely. This was the advice Zen Master Takuan (1573-1645) gave the swordsman Yagyu Munenori (1571-1646). If you allow your mind to settle anywhere, you lose youe ability to respond. A free-ranging, nonstopping mind is the ideal.

7.Inattention and neglect causes misfortune. Most accidents in life are due to insufficient observation and pure laziness. Therefore Karate practitioner must always be alert. Funakoshi would always exercise caution when approaching corners, opening doors, and even when eating whit chop sticks, taking care never let his attention flag.

8.Never think that Karate is practiced only in The Dojo. The entire world is a Dojo, and true Karate training takes place twenty-four hours a day.

9.Karateis a lifelong pursuit. Near the end of Funakoshi's life, the eighty-year-old Funakoshi said of certain Karate movement he had been practicing for over six years, "I've finally got the hang of it!" It is said that on his deathbed, Funakoshi was still running Kata in his mind, trying to improve them.

10.Everything you encounter is an aspect of Karate; find the marvelous truth there. The second half of this principle could also be translated, "Karate is the spice of life."

11.Karate is like boiling water; if you do not keep the flame high, it turns tepid. Funakoshi told his student, "for each day of practice you miss, the positive effects of three days of previous training are lost."

12.Do not think about winning; think about not losing. There is a huge difference between wanting to win at all costs, and not allowing oneself to be defeated. The first approach leads to reackless destruction; the second fosters common sense and prudent action.

13.Respond in accordance to your opponent.

14.Wage the battle with natural strategy. That is, Karate practitioners should act naturally when confronted with an attack, changing and adapting to their opponenets, never forcing the issue.

15.Regard your hands and feet as sharp swords. This is not merely a matter of turning them into lethal weapons; it also makes the practicioner aware of their awesome potential.

16.Step out the door and you face 10.000 foes. This is another maxim that underlines the necessity of being vigilant at all times, taking nothing for granted.

17.Learn various stances as a beginner, but then rely on a natural posture. As a beginner, it is essential to learn various stances; such stances are the building blocks of Karate. Eventually, however, a practitioner must transcend all conditioned stances and assume the posture that is most natural and appropriate.