---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends…"
description: "\"Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with rei.\" — Gichin Funakoshi"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/gichin-funakoshi-11922_courtesy_karate-do-begins-with-courtesy-and-ends_1773617.png"
---

#  Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with rei.

![“Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with rei.” quote by Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/gichin-funakoshi-11922_courtesy_karate-do-begins-with-courtesy-and-ends_1773617.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/gichin-funakoshi-11922_courtesy_karate-do-begins-with-courtesy-and-ends_1773617.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/663/gichin-funakoshi-11922_courtesy_karate-do-begins-with-courtesy-and-ends_1773617.png)

> “Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with rei.”

[Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Karate training starts with respect and ends with mastery, emphasizing humility and discipline throughout the practice.

**In simple terms:** Respect starts and ends karate.

Key Takeaway

Begin with courtesy, finish with mastery.

Themes

respect discipline growth

Mood

focused reflective

Type

instructional philosophical

When to use this quote

- dojo training
- self‑defense classes
- personal development
- teaching martial arts

Key Concepts

martial arts philosophy mind-body integration

Questions to Reflect On

- How does respect shape your learning?
- What does mastery mean beyond technique?

A Different Perspective

If courtesy is superficial, deeper character may be lacking.

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[Courtesy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courtesy/) [Karate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karate/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/)

## Related quotes

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## More by Gichin Funakoshi

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Proverb

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> [though I be but the prince of Wales, yet I am king of courtesy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/though-i-be-but-the-prince-of-wales-yet-i-am-king-of-courtesy/)

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