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THE
PHILOSOPHY OF TAEKWON-DO
(Taekwon-Do Chul hak)
In recent years, there has been an upsurge
in violence and a loss of morality in all levels of society, especially among the young. There are, of course a
number of reasons for this.
Many psychologists today feel that this problem stems from frustration. Analysts, on the other hand, point out
that these misguided people are indeed a disillusioned segment of society searching for values and relevance in
what they consider deceitful, materialistic, and absurd world of wars and decadence.
Unfortunately, however, instead of constructively channeling their extraordinary energy and potential, far too
many strike out in blind anger, destroying rather than building, or merely running away from it all by isolating
themselves with drugs and their own worlds of fantasy. Presently, the tendency of "the stronger preying upon
the weaker" appears to be at its peak. Frankly, the present world closely resembles a "corrupt age."
It is obvious that this phenomenon of society is not merely because of the struggle for survival, but mainly because
of an overdeveloped material and scientific civilization. The former misleads the young to the extreme materialism
or egoism, while the latter seized human beings with fear, though playing an essential role in public welfare.
Then what would be the remedy? Needless to say it is the development of moral civilization - the proper mental
states of a human being as the lord of creation, enough to prevail or at least keep abreast with the development
of material and scientific civilization.
The utmost purpose of Taekwon-Do is to eliminate fighting by discouraging the stronger's oppression of the weaker
with a power that must be based on humanity, justice, morality, wisdom and faith, thus helping to build a better
and more peaceful world.
All men, regardless of age, have felt that death is a shame, and lamented that they cannot live as long as the
pine trees or the turtles that seem to live a thousand years. Righteous men, on the other hand, deplore the fact
that justice does not always triumph over the tyranny of power. However, there are two ways to deal with these
problems: The former, through mental discipline, the latter, through physical training. It is my firm belief that
through Taekwon-Do, anyone can garner enough strength to become a guardian of justice, to challenge social disunity
and, to cultivate the human spirit to the highest level attainable. It is in this spirit, I am dedicating the art
of Taekwon-Do to the people of the world.
The philosophy of Taekwon-Do is based on the ethical, moral, and spiritual standards by which men can live together
in harmony, and its art patterns are inspired by the ideals and exploits of great men from Korean history. Korea's
famous military and civil leaders who in nearly five thousand years of Korean history have never invaded their
neighbor yet who fought bravely and made great self-sacrifices to defend their homeland against invading enemies.
I also include the names of patriots who willingly gave up their lives to regain Korea's freedom and independence
from the Japanese occupation.
Each Tul (pattern) of Taekwon-Do expresses the thoughts and the actions of these great men, so the students of
Taekwon-Do must reflect the true intentions of those whose name each Tul bears. Therefore, under no circumstances
should Taekwon-Do be used for any commercial or political purpose whatsoever.
I have set forth the following philosophy and guidelines which will be the cornerstone of Taekwon-Do and by which
all serious students of this art are encouraged to live.
1. Be willing to go where the going may be tough and do the things that are worth doing even though they are difficult.
2. Be gentle to the weak and tough to the strong.
3. Be content with what you have in money and position but never in skills.
4. Always finish what you begin, be it large or small.
5. Be a willing teacher to anyone regardless of religion, race or ideology.
6. Never yield to repression or threat in the pursuit of a noble cause.
7. Teach attitude and skill with action rather than words.
8. Always be yourself even though your circumstances may change.
9. Be the eternal teacher who teaches with the body when young, with words when old, and by moral precept even
after death.
Reproduced,
with permission, from "Taekwon-Do" (The Korean Art of Self Defense) also known as The Condensed Encyclopedia.
Fifth
Edition 1999, All rights reserved
Copyright 1988, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1999 General Choi, Hong Hi.
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