The TENETS OF TAEKWON-DO are values that followers of taekwon-do should strive to uphold. A student is not only expected to understand but to live by the 5 virtues. Coupled with the physical side of taekwon-do these 5 virtues offer the practitioner total development - mental, physical, spiritual, ethical and moral. The goal is the ultimate victory of self-perfection.

TENETS OF TAEKWON-DO
Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self-Control
Indomitable Spirit

CHARACTER TRAITS
Respect
Virtue
Tenacity
Discipline
Invincible Nature

CHARACTER VIRTUES
Moral
Ethical
Mental
Physical
Spiritual



COURTESY
To be courteous in taekwon-do means to be polite to one another; to distinguish between instructor from student, seniors from juniors and elders from the younger; to love and care and respect for all humankind. Its an act of kindness and consideration for others and is acknowledged as one of the most valuable and fundamental aspects of one's life.

INTEGRITY
To have integrity in taekwon-do means being able to judge right from wrong, not only in matters concerning the rights and wrongs of others, but more importantly in matters concerning oneself; never to do what one realizes is wrong, no matter how small a matter. Likewise there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.

PERSEVERANCE
To persevere in taekwon-do means having the determination to continue pursuing a matter after failure. Each failed attempt is a step for correction. Each failure or mistake is an opportunity to learn something new and thus enrich one's experience. The person who makes no mistakes does not learn anything new !

SELF-CONTROL
To have self-control is to be in full control of one's mind and actions, whether it be in the dojang or at work. To lose self-control in the dojang is disastrous, not to lose self-control and follow our basic instinct in life is one attribute that distinguishes man apart from animals.

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT
To command indomitable spirit in taekwon-do means being able to face the adversary again and again, whether it be physical or mental. Continuous training and consciously promoting an awareness of oneself and developing the skills enables us to take better control of our life. Our obligation is to take time to know our attributes, our limitations and our capabilities. In so doing, we shall be equipped with the right spirit. By being consciously aware of our levels of self esteem and confidence we shall have the power to be in full control of our life.