-  Proper aikido can never be mastered unless one strictly follows the
     instructor's teaching.
-  Aikido as a martial art is perfected by being alert to everything going
     on around us and leaving no vulnerable opening (suki).
-  Practice becomes joyful and pleasant once one has trained enough not to
     be bothered by pain.
-  Do not be satisfied by what is taught at the dojo. One must constantly
     digest, experiment, and develop what one has learned.
-  One should never force things unnaturally or unreasonably in practice.
     One should undertake training suited to one's body, physical condition
     and age.
-  The aim of aikido is to develop the truly human self. It should not be
     used to display ego.
Kisshomoru Ueshiba (ca.1935)