The Creed of Karate
I come to you with only Karate, Empty Hands. I have no weapons
but should I be forced to defend myself, my honor, or my principles,
should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong,
then here are my weapons, my EMPTY HANDS.
Explanation of the Creed
- The most important thing that a Karate-Ka must keep in mind is that his hands are considered deadly weapons by law.
- A Karata-Ka must, as an obligation to society, and the Art do the utmost in his power to avoid fighting with any human being.
- You do have the right to protect yourself, but keep in mind that your fellow man is also guaranteed his right under law. Therefore do nothing to offend him by speech or action. If you follow this course, there is no just reason for any man to attack you.
- If you are offended by speech or action, remember, discretion is the better part of valor. Smile and ignore his actions. If he pursues a course of offending, you walk away. If he asks you to prove your ability, imagine yourself holding a loaded gun and this man asking you to prove your ability to pull the trigger. If you do, you have proven yourself a menace to society and the law will deal with you as it would any man who takes the life of another.
- If you are attacked and find no avenue of escape, protect yourself. This is your right. If, in protecting yourself, you knock your opponent senseless or knock him down, or in any way render him helpless of doing you any harm, do not press your attack and kill him. This would make you the same "animal" he has proven himself to be. If you do kill him with your first blow then you have committed self-defense and that is every man's right under the law.