What should be the ultimate goal in karate?

Answer 1

The ultimate aim in karate should be to work hard and become the best you can, without losing sight of the real goals of karate. I think it is is summed up best by Gichin Funakoshi, often called "the father of modern karate."

"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants."

The late Master Katsuya Miyahira (President of the Okinawa Shorin Ryu Karate Association) often taught the "virtue of martial arts" to young people. At the end of his lecture, he explained the value of karate, quoting the "Seven Virtues of Martial Arts" from one of the Chinese military strategy books. The quotation reads as follows:

"Martial arts forbids violence, suppresses an uprising, keeps one from corruption, establishes honor for one, pacifies the public, makes harmony among people, and makes one rich. These are the seven virtues of martial arts."