'Live a life you can be proud of'

Knowing the difference between right and wrong is only the beginning of integrity. Real integrity is choosing right over wrong because it is right, not because of any other concern such as social approval or financial gain. When you choose to do the right thing even though you would get away with, and benefit greatly from, doing the wrong thing; this is the essence of integrity.

'From perseverance we reap excellence'

As with any pursuit of value, Taekwondo is not easy. As the student struggles with difficult techniques and tiring training they improve not just their physical ability but also their strength of will and sense of genuine self-worth. This strength of will and character flows into all areas of their lives, and enables many achievements. When difficulty does not deter you from your chosen course, this is the essence of perseverance.

'Master yourself or nothing'

The ability to distinguish between emotional or physical impulses and your rational intentions is the foundation of self control. We should not try to ignore our physical and emotional needs, but our actions should be determined by conscious decision. In this way we will be able to function positively in the world and avoid self-sabotage and regret. To pursue our aims and maintain our standards even though our own feelings oppose it, this is the essence of self-control.

'You can never truly be defeated if you never give up'

We each only have a limited amount of time in our life. Therefore whatever we choose to spend that time doing we should do with our best effort, even when there is no chance of success or recognition. In this way we will make good use of our time and lead a satisfying, rather than wasted, life. Indomitable spirit is often thought of in terms of never backing down from even the most overwhelming opponent, but this is too simplistic a view. Indomitable spirit should be applied with intellegence in that, while we do not give up in the face of certain failure or zero chance of reward, we also do not simply keep running at the same brick wall forever! To pursue our aims with all the passion of our hearts but focused by thoughtful intelligence, this is the essence of indomitable spirit.

'The work that puts you where you are is never yours alone'

Often wrongly confused with obedience, loyalty in fact is the active expression of appreciation – which is to remember and acknowledge the positive things people have done for us in the past, and continue to do for us in the present. Therefore loyalty should not feel constraining or restrictive but natural. To act and behave in a way that naturally arises from that appreciation, this is the essence of loyalty.

'Knowing I may be wrong helps me be more often right'

Humility is a vital quality in a student's growth and learning throughout their life. It is knowing that, however confident or certain we may be in something, it is always possible to be wrong. If we lose this, or fail to cultivate it in the first place, then we will become severely limited and unable to recognise and fix our natural mistakes, or take on new information and grow. Humility should never diminish our pride in our achievements or our confidence in our abilities, really it should do the opposite. To expect to make mistakes and be happy to find and fix them, this is the essence of humility.

'No fire without a spark'

Ambition is often only spoken about when it is taken too far and becomes destructive. However there is rarely any achievement without an initial ambition, however humble it may be. The difference between destructive and virtuous ambition is usually about whether the focus of ambition is to improve oneself or to dominate or 'beat' others. Other virtues such as integrity and self control are vital in moderating and focussing ambition positively, but without the original impetus there is no motive for action. To want to be better than you are regardless of your standing among others, this is the essence of positive ambition.

'The first person I ask for help should always be myself'

No-one should ever be afraid or ashamed to ask for help if they need it, at times we will all need help in even the most mundane of things. That said, it can be easy to fall into a pattern of behaviour in which we seek, or expect to receive, help as a substitute for our own efforts. In this way we sabotage our own growth and cultivate physical and mental weakness instead of strength. Self-responsibility can be thought of as being an opposite to entitlement – to understand that we should be our own first and best helper, this is the essence of self responsibility.