A compilation of various and relevant famous quotations and concepts for the practice of the martial arts.
During Judo contest try to think of nothing at all. Be as a tranquil pool of water in the woods. Calm, collected, reflecting on its surface all that is around it. Make your own mind such a quiet mirror reflecting the mind of the opponent. Even as your partner's impulse to attack passes through his mind it should be reflected in you. The result is that a defense starts at the same time as, or before, the opponent's offense.
Kano recognized three levels of combative initiative (sen): 1) go no sen, the "late" form of attack initiative, usually characterized as a defensive move or counteraction; 2) sen, the attack initiative that is also defensive but launched simultaneously with the aggressor's attack; 3) sen-sen no sen, a supraliminal attack initiative, also defensive but appearing to be offensive, through which the aggressor's attack is anticipated and "beaten to the punch" by an appropriate action.
When water and fire wage war, the water will be the victor.
"According to an ancient fable, the rabbit will get away from the fox," the master said.
"Because the fox is running for his dinner and the rabbit is running for his life," answered the master.
It isn't the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog that counts.