20 Principles of Karate
By Gichin Funakoshi
1. Karate begins and ends with courtesy and respect
2. Never strike first
3. Be on the side of justice
4. Control yourself before engaging others
5. Mental attitude is more important than technique
6. Empty your mind and be present
7. Accidents stem from lack of attention
8. Carry karate values beyond the dojo
9. Karate is a life-long endeavour
10. Bring karate into your whole life and find inner peace
11. Karate is like boiling water: without applying heat it turns cold
12. Never strive to win - instead, make sure you do not lose
13. Use the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent
14. Success depends on the balance of softness and hardness
15. Think of hands and feet as swords
16. When you step through a door, be ready to face opponents
17. First master the karate stances, then adopt a natural pose
18. Perform kata with precision; perform combat with fluidity
19. Apply softness & hardness, contraction & expansion, relaxation & speed
20. Be mindful, diligent and resourceful in the dojo and in life
(Modern translation by Rogier Holla)