Edmund Kealoha "Ed" Parker (March 19, 1931 – December 15, 1990) was an American martial artist, Senior Grandmaster, and founder of American Kenpo Karate.
One becomes great when he comes to the realization that what he knows is very little.
The man who knows how will always be the student, but the man who knows why will continue to be the instructor.
I am not going to show you my art. I am going to share it with you. If I show it to you it becomes an exhibition, and in time it will be pushed so far into the back of your mind that it will be lost. But by sharing it with you, you will not only retain it forever, but I too will improve.
I come to you with only Karate, Empty Hands. I have no weapons, but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles or my honor, should it be a matter of life or death, of right or wrong, then here are my weapons, Karate, my Empty Hands.
The humble man makes room for progress; the proud man believes he is already there.
It is not the aim of Kenpo to merely produce a skillful as well as powerful practitioner, but to create a well integrated student respectful of all.
Traditionalists often study what is taught, not what there is to create.
The true Martial Artist is not the one who fears change, but the one who causes it to happen.
Time and space may separate us, but not the thoughts and memories that bind us.
There are no pure styles of karate. Purity comes only when pure knuckles meet pure flesh, no matter who delivers or receives.
If you don't ask the right questions, I can't give you the answers, and if you don't know the right question to ask, you're not ready for the answers
Condition and guts take over where knowledge and skill end.
To live is to change, and to obtain perfection is to change often.
The man who is secure within himself has no need to prove anything with force, so he can walk away from a fight with dignity and pride. He is the true martial artist--a man so strong inside that he has no need to demonstrate his power.
Gain confidence and you banish fear.
The intelligent man is one who has successfully fulfilled many accomplishments, and is yet willing to learn more.
Whether it is a big ship or small ship, the same size hole placed correctly in the hull can sink it.