--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Karate is a technique that permits one to…" description: "\"Karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself with his bare hands and fists without weapons.\" — Gichin Funakoshi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/gichin-funakoshi-11922_fists_karate-is-a-technique-that-permits-one-t_2823397.png" --- # Karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself… ![“Karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself with his bare hands and fists without weapons.” quote by Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/gichin-funakoshi-11922_fists_karate-is-a-technique-that-permits-one-t_2823397.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/gichin-funakoshi-11922_fists_karate-is-a-technique-that-permits-one-t_2823397.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/gichin-funakoshi-11922_fists_karate-is-a-technique-that-permits-one-t_2823397.png) > “Karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself with his bare hands and fists without weapons.” [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 teaches self‑defense using only one’s body, emphasizing discipline and skill without weapons. **In simple terms:** Karate lets you defend yourself with bare hands. Key Takeaway Practice discipline to protect yourself. Themes self‑defense discipline martial arts Mood empowering focused Type martial arts educational When to use this quote - personal safety - physical fitness - conflict de‑escalation - tradition Key Concepts body mechanics mind‑body connection Questions to Reflect On - How can you improve your technique? - When is non‑violent resolution preferable? A Different Perspective Physical limits may restrict effectiveness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Karate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karate/) [Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technique/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/the-ultimate-aim-of-karate-lies-not-in-victory-or-defeat-but-in-the/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [Karate-do strives internally to train the mind to develop a clear conscience, enabling one to face the world honestly, while externally developing strength to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/karate-do-strives-internally-to-train-the-mind-to-develop-a-clear/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [Karate-do begins with courtesy and ends with rei.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/karate-do-begins-with-courtesy-and-ends-with-rei/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [It is important that karate can be practiced by the young and old, men and women alike. That is, since there is no need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/it-is-important-that-karate-can-be-practiced-by-the-young-and-old-men/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [One of the most striking features of karate is that it may be engaged in by anybody, young or old, strong or weak, male…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/one-of-the-most-striking-features-of-karate-is-that-it-may-be-engaged/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [Think of everyday life as karate training.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/think-of-everyday-life-as-karate-training/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [No matter how you may excel in the art of Karate, and in your scholastic endeavors, nothing is more important than your behavior and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/no-matter-how-you-may-excel-in-the-art-of-karate-and-in-your/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [Karate begins and ends with courtesy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/karate-begins-and-ends-with-courtesy/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [There is no first strike in Karate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/there-is-no-first-strike-in-karate/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [There is no place in contemporary Karate-do for different schools. Some instructors, I know, claim to have invented new and unusual kata, and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/there-is-no-place-in-contemporary-karate-do-for-different-schools/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/true-karate-is-this-that-in-daily-life-one-s-mind-and-body-be-trained/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/once-a-kata-has-been-learned-it-must-be-practised-repeatedly-until-it/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/in-karate-hitting-thrusting-and-kicking-are-not-the-only-methods/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [The spirit of karate practice and the elements of training are applicable to each and every aspect of our daily lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/the-spirit-of-karate-practice-and-the-elements-of-training-are/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [Since karate is a martial art, you must practice with the utmost seriousness from the very beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/since-karate-is-a-martial-art-you-must-practice-with-the-utmost/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) ## More by Gichin Funakoshi > [The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/the-ultimate-aim-of-karate-lies-not-in-victory-or-defeat-but-in-the/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/what-you-have-been-taught-by-listening-to-others-words-you-will/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [Beginners must master low stance and posture, natural body positions are for the advanced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/beginners-must-master-low-stance-and-posture-natural-body-positions/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [The spirit of karate practice and the elements of training are applicable to each and every aspect of our daily lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/the-spirit-of-karate-practice-and-the-elements-of-training-are/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/in-karate-hitting-thrusting-and-kicking-are-not-the-only-methods/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [First know yourself, then know others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/first-know-yourself-then-know-others/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/you-must-be-deadly-serious-in-training-when-i-say-that-i-do-not-mean/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/success-cannot-be-attained-alone-any-person-s-time-and-power-is/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [Spirit first, technique second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/spirit-first-technique-second/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [You must ignore the bad and adopt the good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/you-must-ignore-the-bad-and-adopt-the-good/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [Remember that you must always have a deep regard for courtesy, and you must be respectful and obedient toward your seniors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/remember-that-you-must-always-have-a-deep-regard-for-courtesy-and-you/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/once-a-kata-has-been-learned-it-must-be-practised-repeatedly-until-it/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/the-secret-principle-of-martial-arts-is-not-vanquishing-the-attacker/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/true-karate-is-this-that-in-daily-life-one-s-mind-and-body-be-trained/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/any-man-will-be-able-after-sufficient-practice-to-accomplish/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) [Explore all 57 Gichin Funakoshi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) ## More Fists quotes > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. 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But when I start throwing it around I can leave one hell of a mess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/well-this-is-just-a-fist-but-when-i-start-throwing-it-around-i-can/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [We started this together, Leo. Seems only right you come along. You find us a ride, you're in." "Yes!" Leo pumped his fist. \*…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/we-started-this-together-leo-seems-only-right-you-come-along-you-find/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [About 25 years ago, I was in an apartment, and next door, they put on the radio, so I struck the wall with my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/klaus-kinski/about-25-years-ago-i-was-in-an-apartment-and-next-door-they-put-on/) [Klaus Kinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/klaus-kinski/) > [And when he did that, my hands curled into fists because I thought about touching his face like maybe I could catch joy in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/and-when-he-did-that-my-hands-curled-into-fists-because-i-thought/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [He's earned all his money himself, with his fists. He didn't steal it like the rest of our politicians. And he'll be less tempted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vitali-klitschko/he-s-earned-all-his-money-himself-with-his-fists-he-didn-t-steal-it/) [Vitali Klitschko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vitali-klitschko/) > [The trainee knew he should leave, but he was unable to look away. He'd never seen anything snap out so fast or strike so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/the-trainee-knew-he-should-leave-but-he-was-unable-to-look-away-he-d/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [His fingers leave streaks of cold on my skin, invisible to the eye, and I think about wrapping his shirt around my fist and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/his-fingers-leave-streaks-of-cold-on-my-skin-invisible-to-the-eye-and/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Bullying can be physical, verbal or emotional. Words and threats are just as painful as fists, especially with social media these days. 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In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-man-had-his-way-the-plan-of-redemption-would-be-an-endless-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 599 Fists quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself with his bare hands and fists without weapons.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gichin Funakoshi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/karate-is-a-technique-that-permits-one-to-defend-himself-with-his/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fists" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/karate-is-a-technique-that-permits-one-to-defend-himself-with-his/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/gichin-funakoshi-11922_fists_karate-is-a-technique-that-permits-one-t_2823397.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/gichin-funakoshi-11922_fists_karate-is-a-technique-that-permits-one-t_2823397.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/gichin-funakoshi-11922_fists_karate-is-a-technique-that-permits-one-t_2823397.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Karate is a technique that permits one to defend himself with his bare hands and fists without weapons.” — Gichin Funakoshi", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gichin Funakoshi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Karate is a technique that permits...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/karate-is-a-technique-that-permits-one-to-defend-himself-with-his/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/karate-is-a-technique-that-permits-one-to-defend-himself-with-his/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```