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ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
Don Pohl
Associate Editor, Judo Illustrated
February 1968
Pick up any Judo
book and you can find ample information on the principles and theories of Judo. As an
integral part of our instruction we are taught, among other things, patience, courtesy,
humility and self discipline. And few have crossed the threshold from novice to brown belt
who cannot recite the many axioms of judo such as "mutual benefit" and
"maximum efficiency."
But what do we see when we view a group of judo players? Do we see the polite, courteous gentlemen we would expect to be emulating Dr. Kano's philosophy, or do we see the open-shirted, noisy athlete more readily identified with some of the other sports?
By-and-large, Judo can take unenviable pride in its product. Through the years we have produced more gentlemen than bums. But judo is not nourished from mediocrity. What passes for acceptable conduct from some athletes should not be our goal, but rather our minimum.
Self discipline and courtesy dictate that we respect the rights of others. We are not loud, ill-mannered or boorish. We lose graciously and win with humility. We act and dress like gentlemen — both on and off the mat.
We take great pains to inform the public that Judo is different from all other sports. We read about it, talk about it and write about it. We tell the boy's father that Judo will make a gentlemen of his son, and the educator that Judo is the missing cog in a well-rounded education. And we never miss an opportunity to expound the theories of Dr. Kano or to point to Judo as "different from all other American sports."
And yet we sometimes forget that Judo is not quite like "all other American sports." Judo does teach courtesy, self-respect, and humility. And in our drive to bring Judo closer to the American philosophy of competition, we must not lose sight of these basic principles which make our sport unique.
Nothing is as striking and impressive as a tournament or practice where the players are neat, reserved and dignified. There is the lasting impression and the principles of Judo at work — actions do speak louder than words.