What follows are some of the thoughts often repeated in my class that (I think) are of value and interest.

I begin with all of my students in the same manner: a question. Do you believe there are truly evil people in this world? If your answer is yes, then understand that jujutsu is the means by which you deal with those people.

          Jujitsu has many different facets and aspects: for example, learning respect for other people and making yourself a better person. The first thing jujitsu is about, is killing your opponent with your bare hands at close range. All of the lofty, noble philosophical precepts that are often repeated in connection with the spiritual development aspects of martial arts were first thought or "discovered" by men (or their descendents) who had killed their opponents.

When you step on the mat (to practice),you should clear your mind and leave all of your problems outside with your focus and awareness centered on now.

Your attitude in practice should be the same as your attitude in combat; your attitude in combat should be the same as your attitude in practice.

          The mat is a microcosm of the universe. The lessons on the mat are the lessons of life.

          The bough that bears the most fruit hangs the lowest.

          If you stand on the banks of the Yellow River long enough, you will watch the bodies of your enemies float by.

          There is martial art. There is counter martial art. There is anti-martial art.

          Jujitsu is about relaxation and non-resistance.

          Many people think fighting is about youth, speed, and strength. Fighting is about knowledge, experience, and cunning.

           You have to be tough to do jujitsu.

          After 1000 days of practice, we are still beginners; after 10,000 days of practice, we may begin to learn the meaning of martial art.

          The first ten years of study you begin to learn to master yourself; the next 10years you begin to learn to master others.

          A superior mental attitude and big balls aren’t everything, but they are a good start, and they will get you through a lot.

          Openmindedness is like a blank page. Most people are afraid of it, because anything might appear on it.

          You find masters in the strangest places.

          When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.

          You get out of martial arts (life) what you put into it.

Martial art is about respect for others. Treat others, as you would like to be treated.

           Everyone you face in combat is a tough guy. If he has been to prison, he is a tough guy. If he rides a motorcycle, he is a tough guy. If he has been in the military, he is a tough guy. If he is a cop, he is a tough guy. And the list goes on and on…All you can do is stand up straight on your hind legs, look him squarely in the eye, and do your best.

         When you hear talk of someone who is supposedly a tough, experienced street fighter, put it into perspective. How many fights has he been in…10…20? How many punches did he throw in each fight…5…10? Add them all together and you don’t get one good martial arts class. The real tough guys are the ones who train long, train hard.

          You are not Japanese, so didn’t try to act Japanese. You are not me, so don’t try to look just like me.

This is martial art; not martial science or martial xeroxing. Take the art and make it your own.

Learn to identify those who speak out of ignorance, not out of knowledge.

          A martial arts class is not a democracy.

Respect is earned.

Shoot them until they stop screaming.

The only way to learn to hit is to hit.

No one owes you anything; appreciate what someone does for you instead of complaining about what they haven’t done.

It’s easy to do the right thing when it’s easy to do the right thing; that means it’s easy to do the right thing when the right action is popular, takes no extra effort, and costs you nothing. There are a lot of people who will do the right thing under these circumstances.

When the right action is unpopular, brings harassment, takes extra effort, and has a personal price tag, see who stays and does the right thing. These are people to call your friends and have at your back.

You don’t have to be the best fighter in the whole world, just better than the guy you are facing.

There are 2 ways of understanding. I have taught people techniques and then asked, "Do you understand?" The response: "Yes." Then I say, "Do it." The response: "I can’t do it, but I understand."

You only understand after you do it. This is a cornerstone of doing martial arts; the difference between experiential knowledge and conceptual understanding.