The Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do Quotes

“There is hope for all mankind in the phrase karate ni sente nashi.”
― Shoshin Nagamine, Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do

“Men must eliminate narrow-mindedness which causes them to stand against their fellows, and acquire broad-mindedness. This is possible through the study of karate. Karate as it should be practiced is not a competitive or violent sport, where men are pitted against each other. Nor is it physical training merely for the sakè of training, where the goal is merely that of smashing boards or bricks. Karate is a training of both mind and body, and leads one to a better understanding of both the self and the world.”
― Shoshin Nagamine, Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do

“True world peace, however, can only be achieved when all weapons of destruction are put aside. The peaceful and weaponless Okinawans are living proof of the possibility of a world without war. All people could live in peace if they would follow the example of the Okinawans.”
― Shoshin Nagamine, Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do

“One of the greatest soldiers in history, Napoleon Bonaparte, upon hearing that the Okinawans carried no weapons, could only reply in astonishment, "No weapons, you mean they have no cannons?" Two Englishmen, who had traveled with the fleet to China and then to Naha, the main city of Okinawa, told Napoleon about the Okinawans on a visit to St. Helena in 1816. Napoleon could not believe that the Okinawans truly did not bear arms, and asked if they used spears or bows, or possibly knives and swords. When informed that the Okinawans carried no weapons of any kind, Napoleon exclaimed, "You mean they really carry no weapons? I cannot understand a people not interested in war.”
― Shoshin Nagamine, Essence of Okinawan Karate-Do