'Karate is a way of life, the purpose of which is to enable men, [women and children] to realize their full physical and spiritual potentialities. If the spiritual side of karate is ignored, then its physical aspect is meaningless...' and that, 'The ultimate purpose of karate is to develop the better features of human character rather than merely to strengthen human beings against physical enemies.'
 - Mas Oyama, This Is Karate, 1965
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Additionally: 'To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the highest skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill.'
- Gichin Funakoshi, Karate-Do, My Way of Life, 1975
We believe that: 'The meaning of martial arts includes forms, etiquette, courtesy, and character development.'
- Motoo Yamakura, Goju-Ryu Karate-Do, 1989
It is our attitude that: 'Those who identify the martial arts only with power over others must go back and learn from the beginning... The martial arts are a means to creative self-actualization and service to others.'
-Sang Kyu Shim, The Making of a Martial Artist, 1980
Therefore: 'One needs an atmosphere of affection and understanding where one practices karate. Too often, the atmosphere is fear and ignorance.'
-Terrence Webster-Doyle, Karate, The Art of the Empty Self, 1986
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