Below are the 20 Precepts  of Gichin Funakoshi or "Shoto Niju Kun"

Although Shotokan based (because Gichin Funakoshi was the founder of Shotokan Karate), I believe these precepts are valid for any serious Martial Artist, or student (gyakusei), of any style of Karate and should be looked at, and thought about, on a regular basis.

1.         Karate-do wa rei ni hajimari, rei ni owaru koto wo wasuruna

                Do not forget that karate-do begins and ends with rei.

2.             Karate ni sente nashi

             There is no first strike in karate. 

3.             Karate wa gi no tasuke

                Karate stands on the side of justice. 

4.             Mazu jiko wa shire, shikoshite tao wo shire  

      First know yourself and then others. 

5.             Gijutsu yori shinjutsu 

       Mentality over technique. 

6.            Kokoro wa hanatan koto wa yosu 

       The mind must be set free. 

7.             Wazawai wai getai ni shozu 

       Calamity springs from carelessness. 

8.             Dojo nomino karate to omou na 

      Karate goes beyond the dojo. 

9.            Karate no shugyo wa issho de aru 

       Karate is a lifelong pursuit. 

10.        Arai-yuru mono wo karate-ka seyo, soko ni myo-mi ari 

     Apply the way of karate to all things. Therein lies its beauty. 

11.        Karate wa yu no goto shi taezu natsudo wo ataezareba moto no mizu ni kaeru 

     Karate is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state. 

12.       Katsu kangae wa motsu na makenu kangae wa hitsuyo 

       Do not think of winning. Think, rather, of not losing. 

13.        Tekki ni yotte tenka seyo 

     Make adjustments according to your opponent. 

14.        Tattakai wa kyo-jutsu no soju ikan ni ari 

     The outcome of the battle depends on how one handles emptiness and fullness (weakness and strength). 

15.        Hito no te ashi wo ken to omoe 

     Think of the opponent’s hands and feet as swords. 

16.        Danshi mon wo izureba hyakuman no tekki ari 

     When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies. 

17.       Kamae wa shoshinsha ni ato wa shizentai 

       Kamae (ready stance) is for beginners, later, one stands in shizentai (natural stance). 

18.        Kata wa tadashiku jissen we betsu mono 

     Perform kata exactly; actual combat is another matter. 

19.        Chikara no kyajaku, karada no shinshuku, waza no kankyu wo wasaruna 

     Do not forget the employment or withdrawal of power, the extension or contraction of the body, the swift or leisurely application of technique. 

20.        Tsune ni shinen kufu seyo 

Be constantly mindful, diligent and resourceful in your pursuit of the way.