Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.

Morihei Ueshiba

"…in Zen first comes technique, practiced so many times that it is forgotten. Then you begin to use it. It is when you do not think about it anymore that you do it so well. Zen is no more than that. But it is reaching that state that the training is all about. The professional dancer who makes it look easy has trained constantly and endured great pain. The tennis pro who flies around the court, making impossible shots, does so not because of any superhuman qualities but because he has practiced and practised, as the dancer has, until the movements are internalized. There is no longer any conscious direction in the movement. When you marvel at the way someone whips up a dinner for ten on short notice, or the way someone makes an impromptu speech, you are marvelling at the same thing - the approach, the confidence, the naturalness of the behaviour. There was not time to prepare, no time to think, no time to hesitate. There you are. Zen."

Miyamoto Musashi
"The book of five rings"

Tameshiwari, the art of breaking wood, tile, bricks and stone with the fist or the bare foot, is not a purpose of karate, but rather serves as a barometer of acquired strength and technique. It is useful for this purpose because in kumite (sparring) you must never actually touch the opponent for fear of causing extreme physical injury.

"Karate School" by Mas Oyama

A dog at play has the mind of a wise martial arts master, a mind capable of perfect focus.

Unknown

To me, the extraordinary aspect of martial arts lies in its simplicity. The easy way is also the right way, and martial arts is nothing at all special; the closer to the true way of martial arts, the less wastage of expression there is.

Bruce Lee