Martial Arts Quotes

Courage is being afraid, but then doing what you have to do anyway.

I dislike death, however, there are some things I dislike more than death. Therefore, there are times when I will not avoid danger.

Never leave an enemy standing.

I practice the martial arts. I don't practice MMA. MMA is my job, MMA is a new sport. Martial arts is the knowledge from the ages.

I have not permitted myself to be ignorant of any martial art that exists. Why? Such ignorance is a disgrace to someone who follows the path of the martial arts.

If you do something and it saves your life, it was good taijutsu. In a real fight, you aren't worried about what's pretty.

Behind each triumph are new peaks to be conquered.

In the martial arts, introspection begets wisdom. Always see contemplation on your actions as an opportunity to improve.

Martial arts have two parts. One is external, other internal. The external is physical part. The internal is philosophy of how to be, what kind of person learns martial arts.

We learn martial arts as helping weakness. You never fight for people to get hurt. You're always helping people.

My goal is to share all my learning, all of my knowledge, so that other generations of martial arts will benefit.

I've come to understand that life is best lived, not conceptualized.

Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it.

There is no first strike in Karate.

I am learning to understand rather than immediately judge or to be judged.

The real purpose of the martial arts must be to purge oneself of petty ambitions and desire, to obtain control of one’s own character.

I do mixed martial arts, mainly kickboxing.

Mixed Martial Arts is a dangerous practice that could result in injuries and loss of life.

Optimism is a faith that leads to success.

Understand that the essence of martial arts is not the art itself, but what's hidden deep within yourself.

The real self of an artiste lies in art, so when an artiste performs, all the pain, trauma and tension get released through art, be it dancing, painting, singing, writing or even martial arts.

Where there is no style, there is no slave. Martial Arts mean honestly expressing yourself. No style. No slave.

Martial arts, like any art, is an unrestricted athletic expression of an individual soul.

If you change the rules on what controls you... you will change the rules on what you can control.

Martial arts is for defense. It's not for attacking. So when people are fighting, always, always, defend.

If mere mechanical efficiency can make everyone a martial artist, then all is well. Unfortunately, combat, like freedom, is something that can not be preconceived.

A student's mentality in learning martial arts is to overcome one's problems.

Martial arts are a vehicle for developing your human potential.

Since I do seven different styles of martial arts, I don't foresee myself fighting the same in any two movies. I think every fighting style should fit the character that's doing the fighting.

Boards don't hit back.

We are the modern day gladiators.

Don't be rushed, be sure.

Gain confidence and you banish fear.

Humility is the first rule of martial arts. Either you learn humility quickly, or you leave because your ego can't handle losing repeatedly.

You must be on your toes constantly, yet be relaxed.

When I was a kid, I had two great guilty pleasures. One was horror movies and the other was martial arts movies.

I didn't go to normal children school. I went to sports school when I was 8. So I studied martial arts.

The best fighter is never angry.

When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work.

Traditionalists often study what is taught, not what there is to create.

If you think a thing is impossible,you'll only make it impossible.

I love Tony Jaa. He's one of the best and most capable martial arts stuntmen in the world.

Fear comes from uncertainty; we can eliminate the fear within us when we know ourselves better.

Martial arts have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

To me, ultimately, martial arts means honestly expressing yourself.

Beware of the anger of the mouth. Master your words. Let them serve truth.

The main reason I like UFC is not just the martial arts aspect, but it's about one person against the other person. It's about being able to test yourself with the truth.

I only want my work to make people happy.

Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness.

The knowledge and skills you have achieved are meant to be forgotten so you can float comfortably in emptiness, without obstruction.