Great Master Quotes by Gichin Funakoshi

The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.

— Gichin Funakoshi

What you have been taught by listening to others' words you will forget very quickly; what you have learned with your whole body you…

— Gichin Funakoshi

Beginners must master low stance and posture, natural body positions are for the advanced.

— Gichin Funakoshi

The spirit of karate practice and the elements of training are applicable to each and every aspect of our daily lives.

— Gichin Funakoshi

In karate, hitting, thrusting, and kicking are not the only methods, throwing techniques and pressure against joints are included … all these techniques should…

— Gichin Funakoshi

First know yourself, then know others.

— Gichin Funakoshi

You must be deadly serious in training. When I say that, I do not mean that you should be reasonably diligent or moderately in…

— Gichin Funakoshi

Success, cannot be attained alone. Any person's time and power is limited. A wise leader enlists others in working toward organizational goals.

— Gichin Funakoshi

Spirit first, technique second.

— Gichin Funakoshi

You must ignore the bad and adopt the good.

— Gichin Funakoshi

Remember that you must always have a deep regard for courtesy, and you must be respectful and obedient toward your seniors.

— Gichin Funakoshi

Once a kata has been learned, it must be practised repeatedly until it can be applied in an emergency, for knowledge of just the…

— Gichin Funakoshi

The secret principle of martial arts is not vanquishing the attacker, but resolving to avoid an encounter before its occurrence. To become an object…

— Gichin Funakoshi

True karate is this: that in daily life one's mind and body be trained and developed in a spirit of humility, and that in…

— Gichin Funakoshi

Any man will be able, after sufficient practice, to accomplish remarkable feats of strength, but he may go only so far and no farther.…

— Gichin Funakoshi