35+ Best Mr Miyagi Quotes From The Karate Kid

 / 

, ,
The Karate Kid Quotes From Mr Miyagi

Mr. Miyagi is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most iconic mentors in cinema history. Whether you are a fan of the original The Karate Kid movies or the new spin-off series Cobra Kai, you must feel inspired by the lessons Mr. Miyagi has taught the titular karate kid, Daniel Larusso. So let us explore some of the most inspiring Mr Miyagi quotes.

Mr. Miyagi: An Okinawan karate master

Best Mr Miyagi quotes

Nariyoshi Kesuke Miyagi, played by the late actor Pat Morita, first appeared in the film โ€˜The Karate Kidโ€™, released in 1984. Since the release of the first movie, he has been an iconic character for decades. Mr. Miyagi has not only mentored and trained the titular character, he has inspired millions of individuals across the world over the years. With the ever-growing popularity of the series Cobra Kai, Mr. Miyagi continues to inspire millennials even to this day. 

A martial artist from Okinawa, located in the southern part of Japan, Mr. Miyagi has profound philosophical knowledge not only about Karate but also about love and life. No wonder, Mr. Miyagi’s quotes have a strong impact on us. A member of the distinguished Japanese-American 442nd Regiment, he has been bestowed a Medal of Honor for his services. But after losing his wife and son in childbirth, he became heartbroken. However, he found a new purpose in life after meeting โ€œDaniel-Sanโ€ and both of them taught each other important life lessons that strengthened their bond over the years.

Related: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret Thatโ€™ll Transform Your Outlook On Life

Itโ€™s safe to say that the character of Nariyoshi Miyagi is the life of The Karate Kid movies, not only in the first one, but also in the sequels The Karate Kid Part II, The Karate Kid Part III, The Next Karate Kid, and even the spin-off show Cobra Kai. The movies are pregnant with little nuggets of wisdom and philosophies that are presented through the conversations between Miyagi and Daniel. These lessons about love and life empower Daniel to build a balanced mindset that helps him to stand tall against his bullies, win the karate tournament and be successful in life.

We can also learn a lot from Miyagiโ€™s teachings and bring some much-needed balance into our lives. So letโ€™s dig into some of the best Mr. Miyagi quotes.

Best Mr. Miyagi Quotes

Most Mr. Miyagi’s quotes are inspiring, enlightening, and witty at the same time. While making his student โ€˜Daniel-sanโ€™ go through increasingly difficult training, challenges, and tests, he shares some of the most encouraging lessons that make us mentally and emotionally stronger. He inspires us to pursue self-improvement, attain growth and maturity and let go of negative emotions. There is no doubt that we can learn a lot from this legendary fictional character and his innovative martial arts training.

Related: Bruce Leeโ€™s Never-Before-Seen Writings On Lifeโ€™s Greatest Lessons

Whether you practice karate or not, famous Karate Kid quotes from Mr. Miyagi can help you find meaning and purpose in life. So here are the 3 best Mr. Miyagi quotes that you must learn from –

1. โ€œWax on, wax offโ€

We just have to start with the most iconic and legendary quote of all time from The Karate Kid movies –

โ€œWax on, right hand. Wax off left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breathe in through nose, out the mouth. Wax on, wax off. Don’t forget to breathe. Very important. Wax on, wax off. Wax on, wax off.โ€ – Nariyoshi Miyagi 

Confused? What does waxing have to do with life? Donโ€™t worry, Daniel Larusso was confused at first too. While this quote may not make a whole lot of sense at first, this is one of the most popular karate kid quotes that hold a lot of meaning. Before we delve into the deeper meaning of one of the most famous Mr. Miyagi quotes, let us understand the setting first.

After being bullied by Johnny Lawrence and his gang, Daniel approaches Mr. Miyagi, who is a bit reluctant to teach him karate at first. As Mr. Miyagi makes him perform repetitive and boring chores, like asking him to wax the cars using the mantra โ€œwax on, wax offโ€, Daniel is confused. But he later realizes that these chores were meant to teach him the basics of karate, like punches, strikes, and blocks.

Related: Hard Work Quotes: 15 Sayings To Strengthen Your Work Ethic

This quote shows that in life it takes a lot of effort to get what we want. And while most of that effort may seem futile and useless initially, every step adds value to achieving our goals. So whether you are trying to build a business or trying to lose weight, keep your focus on doing the most menial and mundane tasks properly. Master the monotonous. It also shows that we should trust our teachers and have faith in the process without using it.

2. โ€œBalance is keyโ€

Balance is one of the most crucial aspects of karate. It helps a practitioner to deliver knockout punches and kicks and allows them to keep mental balance when in a fight or Kumite. However, balance is also a vital component for living a healthy and happy life. We need to find a balance between our work, family, and hobbies. In fact, balance is important for every aspect of life, mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. So it makes sense that one of the best Mr. Miyagi quotes is about balance.

Miyagi shares this wisdom with Daniel while training him on a rocking boat as Daniel complains about how hard it is to practice punches while trying to balance in a moving boat, and his wise mentor tells him –

โ€œBetter learn balance. Balance is key. Balance good, karate good. Everything good. Balance badly, better pack up, go home. Understand?โ€ 

We need balance not just to find stability in different areas of our lives, but we also need balance when we have to stand back up after getting knocked down. Perhaps this is why Miyagi reminds Daniel about the lesson when he feels frightened and anxious –

โ€œYou remember the lesson about balance? Lesson, not just karate only. Lesson for whole life. Whole life have a balance. Everything be better.โ€

Related: Be Like Water: Bruce Leeโ€™s Philosophy Of Resilience

This goes on to show that the lessons we can learn from all the hard work we put into learning a new skill can also help us learn new lessons for life. Mr. Miyagi stresses the fact that balance is necessary for everything in life. When we are out of balance, whether psychologically, physically, or emotionally, everything else can feel off balance. It is only by learning to balance our thoughts, emotions, and actions that we can make the most out of our lives. 

This quote can be especially helpful when we are going through rough tides to make us realize that life is balanced by both good and bad days. What matters is that we live with balance and purpose. This is why it is one of Mr. Miyagi’s best quotes on life.

3. โ€œMust not lose to fearโ€

Without a shadow of a doubt, this is my personal favorite and one of the absolute best Mr Miyagi quotes from The Karate Kid. The gem was spoken by Miyagi during the final tournament and the climax of the film when Daniel is injured and frightened while fighting against his opponents from the Cobra Kai dojo. As Daniel writhes in pain and wants to give up after being engulfed by fear of losing and getting hurt, Miyagi tries to calm him down and keep him focused by saying –

โ€œIt’s okay to lose to opponent! Must not lose to fear!โ€

Fear keeps us from pursuing our dreams and prevents us from reaching our true potential. Our fear of the unknown can force us to hide and run away from what we want the most. But the truth is there is nothing to fear but fear itself. When Mr. Miyagi realized that Daniel-san was engulfed in fear, Miyagi told him to rise up to his fears and face them instead of running away. Because while we can still live with the truth that we have lost the battle, we can never live with the fact that we have lost to our own distorted thoughts of fear. The fight was never about Daniel beating Johnny, it was always about Daniel overcoming his self-doubt and insecurities.

Related: Why Strong Women Have More Anxiety and 5 Ways They Can Cope

We all lose some or most of the battles life throws at us. But we should not become too obsessed with winning or losing as long as we are fighting to the best of our abilities in the dojo of life. The moment we conquer our anxieties, doubts, insecurities and fears, we have already won the battle, regardless of the outcome. Courage is the key to success.  Thanks to such inspirational quotes for wisdom from Miyagi, Daniel not only managed to overcome his fear but also beat his bullies at the tournament to become the All Valley Karate Champion.

So no matter what battle you are fighting or how stacked the odds are against you, donโ€™t listen to your negative thoughts and never succumb to fear. Never lose to yourself, even if that means losing to someone else. You conquer yourself, you conquer life. So whenever you doubt yourself, just remember one of the best karate kid quotes and fight your fears.

Looking for more Mr. Miyagi quotes? We have got you covered.

Related: 10 Sources Of Wisdom

35 Best quotes of wisdom by Mr. Miyagi 

There are many more inspiring gems from Miyagi that he shares in The Karate Kid movies. Here is a hand-picked selection of the best quotes from the Karate Kid in Mr. Miyagiโ€™s own words that will help you live a better life –

1. โ€œNever put passion in front of principle. Even if you win, youโ€™ll lose.โ€

2. โ€œFirst learn stand, then learn fly. Nature rule Daniel son, not mine.โ€

3. โ€œFor a man with no forgiveness in heart, life worse punishment than death.โ€

4. โ€œAmbition without knowledge is like a boat on dry land.โ€

Quotes From Mr Miyagi Ambition without knowledge

5. โ€œThe answer is only important if you ask the right question.โ€

Quotes From Mr Miyagi the answer is

6. โ€œIf come from inside you, always right one.โ€

Quotes From Mr Miyagi If come from inside you always right one

7. โ€œIf root’s strong, tree survive.โ€

Quotes From Mr Miyagi root strong

8. โ€œYou trust the quality of what you know, not the quantity.โ€

9. โ€œFighting is always the last answer to the problem.โ€

10. โ€œNo such thing as bad student, only bad teacher. Teacher says, student, do.โ€

11. โ€œDaniel-san, lie become truth only if person wanna believe it.โ€

12. โ€œJust remember, license never replaces eye, ear, and brain.โ€

13. โ€œIf karate used defend honor, defend life, karate mean something. If karate used defend plastic metal trophy, karate no means nothing.โ€

14. โ€œNever keep lady waiting.โ€

15. โ€œWhen your temper rises, lower your fists. When your fists rise, lower your temper.โ€ 

Related: 25+ Power Packed Bruce Lee Quotes

Want more the karate kid quotes? Here are some of the best Mr Miyagi quotes that will lift your spirits –

16. โ€œRemember, best block no be there.โ€

17. โ€œSecret of punch is to make whole power of body fit into one inch.โ€

18. โ€œNot everything is as looks, you know.โ€ 

19. โ€œBecause sometimes, what heart know, head forget.โ€

20. โ€œYou stay focused! Daniel-san your best karate is still inside. Now time let out!โ€

21. โ€œNever trust spiritual leader who cannot dance.โ€

22. โ€œThe sun is warm, the grass is green. If today Julie-san get angry, just you repeat those words.โ€

23. โ€œNot matter who’s stronger. Matter who’s smarter.โ€

24. โ€œWalk left side, safe. Walk right side, safe. Walk middle, sooner or later get squish just like grape.โ€

25. โ€œDaniel-San, you look revenge that way; you start by digging two grave.โ€

26. โ€œSometimes what heart know, the head forgets.โ€

27. โ€œWin, lose no matter, you make a good fight, earn respect, then nobody bothers.โ€

28. โ€œDaniel-san, Karate here (taps his head). Karate here (taps his heart). Karate never here  (taps his belt). Understand?โ€

29. โ€œUse head for something other than target.โ€

30. โ€œWhy break boards? What boards do to you? That kind stuff not teach you how to conquer anger.โ€

31. โ€œAttitude teacher rest in fist. Stupid, but fact of life. You show good fight, win lose no matter, you get respect. No more bother.โ€

32. โ€œIt’s stupid when neighborhood gangs kill each other with no reason. It’s stupid when countries fight wars. Not stupid to respect all living things.โ€

33. “Inside you have strong root. No need nothing except what inside you to grow.โ€

34. โ€œFighting is not good. But if you must fight – win.โ€

Quotes From Mr Miyagi fighting not good

35. โ€œDonโ€™t forget to breathe, very important.โ€ 

Related: How Ancient Wisdom is Still Relevant Today

Fight to win

In the tournament of life, we are all fighting constantly. While some days we win, other days we lose. As long as we have โ€œbalanceโ€ in our lives, we will always be able to conquer ourselves – our thoughts, emotions, behaviors and actions. Although the Cobra Kai dojo is all about โ€œStrike first, strike hard, no mercy,โ€, Miyagi-Do Karate is about building inner strength & character, controlling our emotions and discovering spiritual freedom.

For Mr. Miyagi, karate is not just a tool for self-defense, but a vehicle for gaining philosophical knowledge and understanding life. Just like Daniel-san, we can also learn a lot from the best Mr Miyagi quotes and become the person we are meant to be.

So put on your karate headband and fight life. Hiya!

Related: Mono No Aware: The Japanese Awareness Of The Impermanence of Things


The Karate Kid Quotes From Mr Miyagi pin
mr miyagi quotes pin

— Share —

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply



Up Next

6 Therapeutic Japanese Words With Deep Meaning

Japanese Words With Deep Meanings That Bring Peace of Mind

Japan has figured out how to bring us tranquility. This country is full of therapeutic Japanese words with deep meanings that will make your soul feel at peace.

Living in a world that moves at the speed of light, it is so easy to get caught up in the chaos. Stress seems to be on every street corner and finding peace and serenity seems to be nothing more than a pipe dream.

These Japanese phrases with deep meaning gently remind us all to just slow down, take a deep breath, and find peace in the present moment. Each word carries its weight when it comes to finding harmony within oneself and achieving an unmatched sense of peace.

So letโ€™s dive into six therapeutic Japanese words with deep meanings that can give you instant tranquility in this hectic world we live in!



Up Next

The Key To Building A Thriving Relationship: Insights From Dr. Stan Tatkin

Maintaining A Thriving Relationship: Important Steps

Ever wondered what it takes to maintain a thriving relationship? Dr. Stan Tatkin has shared some really eye-opening tips that could change the way you think about love and bonding!

In a recent interview, Dr. Stan Tatkin, a renowned marriage and family therapist, researcher, and author of the best selling book In Each Otherโ€™s Care, shared invaluable insights on how to create and maintain a thriving relationship.

Dr. Tatkinโ€™s expertise in couples therapy and his psychobiological a



Up Next

8 Signs You Are On The Wrong Path In Life

Signs You Are On The Wrong Path In Life

Life is a very unpredictable thing, with its many twists and turns and unexpected changes, and sometimes we find ourselves walking on the wrong path. It’s like you took a small detour, and suddenly you find yourself on the opposite side of where you were meant to be! In this article, we are going to talk about the signs you are on the wrong path in life.

In our busy and rapidly changing world, it’s important to stay focused, and live a life that aligns with your dreams, aspirations, and goals.

So, if you relate to these eight signs you are on the wrong path in life, then don’t worry, because once you understa



Up Next

What To Say When Someone Dies โ€” And 7 Things Not To Say

What To Say When Someone Dies? Best And Worst Things

Death is hard. Finding the right words to say when someoneโ€™s hurting can be even harder. Wondering what to say when someone dies? Below are some do’s and don’ts for you to note down!

“I’m sorry for your loss” is a classic line, but it might not always hit the mark. Sometimes, it can feel like a generic response rather than genuine comfort. There are many other comforting words to say when someone dies. Let’s break it down below.

Related: How To Overcome The Fear Of Losing Someone You Love: 10 Tips



Up Next

7 Toxic Beliefs Normalized By Society : Time to Challenge the Norms!

Toxic Beliefs Normalized By Society: Rethinking Norms

We have grown up in a society where lots of harmful beliefs have been considered normal for centuries. It’s 2024 now, and even though society has changed in ways, there are still many things that are wrong with it. Even today, there’re so many toxic beliefs normalized by society, and it can feel frustrating to say the least.

These harmful beliefs considered normal by society can greatly shape your thoughts, actions, and connections without you even realizing it. Let’s explore 7 of the most toxic beliefs normalized by society, and how normalization of toxic behavior can be extremely dangerous for us.



Up Next

The 5 Profound Regrets of The Dying: Life’s Last Lessons

The Profound Regrets of The Dying: Life's Last Lessons

Dying people tend to have quite a few regrets when on their deathbed. This article is going to talk about the biggest regrets of dying people and what they wish they would have done differently when they had the time. Let’s explore the top 5 regrets of the dying, and try to learn what actually matters in life.

KEY POINTS

Qualitative research on the top regrets of the dying can help us understand how to live happy lives.

Quantitative research confirms many of these findings.

Living authentically and focusing on relationships emerge as important themes in the research.



Up Next

30 Life-Changing Journal Prompts That’ll Boost Your Mental Well-being

Powerful Journal Prompts for Mental Health Strength!

Welcome to a journey of self-discovery and mental well-being! Many people resort to journaling as a method to take care of their mental healthโ€”itโ€™s like a safe house for expressing feelings and evaluating oneself.

If youโ€™re here with us, you are most likely interested in prioritizing your mental well-being. For this reason we have curated an exhaustive list of journal prompts for mental health strength, just for you!

Journaling enables you to organize your thoughts, get some clarity, and increase your mindfulness and self-awareness. Letโ€™s explore the concept of journa