"How a jiu jitsu practitioner should live their life" ...Carlos Gracie

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This was posted by Arch Angelos in the "Moral Code" Thread. I thought it needed its own thread. I really like numbers 11 and 12...:icon_idea

Carlos Gracie's 12 commandments

1 – To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
2 – Speak to every one of happiness, health and prosperity.
3 – Give all your friends the feeling that they are valuable.
4 – Always look at events from a positive point of view, and turn positivity into a reality in life.
5 – Think always in the best, work solely for the best and expect always the best.
6 – Always be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
7 – Forget about past mistakes and concentrate your energies on the victories ahead.
8 – Always keep your fellow men joyful and have a pleasant attitude to all that address you.
9 – Spend all the time you need in perfecting yourself, but leave no time to criticise the others.
10 – Become too big to feel unrest, too noble to feel anger, too strong to feel fear and too happy to tumble in adversity.
11 – Always have a positive opinion about yourself and tell it to the world, not through words of vanity but through benevolence.
12 – Have the strong belief that the world is beside you if you keep true to what is best within you.

http://www.bjjheroes.com/bjj-fighters/carlos-gracie-sr-profile

also,

"If you want your face punched and bruised, your but kicked and your arms broken, talk to Carlos Gracie at the following address…"

I think that last one was more of a marketing gimmick...
 
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Martial arts as means of promoting decency and character is a valuable concept, particularly in the light of recent events. The Gracie Academy video on creating and maintaining a positive atmosphere at your gym was very good, as was Ryan Hall's well thought out statement.

However, I'm a little uncomfortable with an overt 'moral code' in martial arts, as it can lead to that same cult mentality Ryan Hall warned about in his letter. IMO, a martial arts instructor should not be set up as some kind of pseudo-mystical spiritual leader. That's especially true of Carlos's generation of the Gracie family, as if what I've read about them is accurate, they aren't people I would look to for moral guidance (e.g., this infamous interview with Helio).
 
i live my life how i want to live it. whether thats as a thug or a good boy its up to me and me alone. free will is awesome.
 
IMHO the team with the most balance is Gracie Barra. Its a great all around school that caters to every type of student and that is why they are the biggest team and will continue to remain that way!
 
IMHO the team with the most balance is Gracie Barra. Its a great all around school that caters to every type of student and that is why they are the biggest team and will continue to remain that way!

gracie barra is too mcdojo to me.

but thats a whole new can of worms.
 
Funny how this guy always try to troll the thread by putting in controversial opionions and ended with "but that's a whole new can of worms"
Sure, buddy, whatever you say.
 
WTF???? Its a sport for some, hobby for most, way of life for a little few. Ultimately not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things. I do agree with lots of points but then again with lots of points of major world religions, that doesnt mean I am religous! For someone to tell you how should live your life to be involved in a sport is extremely pretentious. Im generally a good guy and show respect people who I meet......thats my choice and good enough for me.
Evidence of this 'cult' mentality that currently being highlighted???
 
martial arts is a lifestyle of constant improvement never reaching one limits. Having the ability to adapt to changes in life and still move forward.
 
i like #3 & #6, this gives positive reinforcements to your training partners
 
Yeah but didn't he abuse small animals and get involved in **** (thanks censorship) and dog fighting?

"Treat men respectfully. Meanwhile, torture defenseless creatures."
 
I mentioned this in the other thread - but that is essentially the Optimist Creed, from the Optimist Club. Does anyone know if Carlos just jacked it from the OC, or is this some sort of mis-attribution.

http://www.optimist.org/e/creed.cfm

"
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble."
 
I think it's ok to agree with certain principles even if the one who espouses those principles does not always live up to them. IMHO many people need guidance and role models. Hero worship can be detrimental when our heroes fall, I understand. We should rather have "hero appreciation". We must remember that any hero is only human. They will fail us when we lose sight of that fact.
 
hmmm...

I wonder where this creed originated...

I mentioned this in the other thread - but that is essentially the Optimist Creed, from the Optimist Club. Does anyone know if Carlos just jacked it from the OC, or is this some sort of mis-attribution.

http://www.optimist.org/e/creed.cfm

"
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble."
 
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