Martial Virtues

Universal Principals of Morality – Martial Virture (WuDe /Mou Dak)

Traditional Chinese Martial Arts schools, such as schools that descended from the Shaolin Temples have incorporated a code or system of moral ethics in their self-defense or mental training, which was referred to in Mandarin as – WuDe (武德), or in Cantonese language as – Mou Dak (武德). Martial morality was considered the most important criterion for judging students, thus was the most important part of training in the Traditional Chinese Martial Arts. The Martial Virtues can be described in two categories, the Mortality of Deed and the Morality of Mind. The attributes under each category described below, are not only relevant to the Martial Arts, but is really most relevant to life in general. A person, especially a martial artist, should understand and be able to display these attributes at all times. In the 5-Family Kung Fu system, Wude (martial virtues) isn’t just taught; it’s “lived”. This concept is woven into the fabric of how this art is transmitted, practiced and preserved.

Morality of Deed

Involves the martial family relationship (social relationships) between student, teacher, classmates, and the general public. The following five attributes below describes one’s inherent relationship with one’s “family” structure already. You will typically have some degree of each of these attributes between your parents, siblings, and other bloodline members. The Ng Ga Kuen Kung Fu system has the same type of structure and social relationship, which the system hopes to instill or solidify within your being for all living entities.

• Humility (謙遜) – Quality of being Humble, grounded. It is a balance between a reduced focus on oneself and the quality of possessing the ability to demonstrate strength, assertiveness, and courage. Humility can be noticed in a person when that person controls his/her pride, while trying to overcome it. One’s desire needs to be observed and prioritized accordingly. It is said that “When one is satisfied (pride) with oneself, one will not think deeply, and will not be willing to learn. However, if one remains humble, one will always strive to better oneself, and will keep learning.”. Confucius said, “If three people walk by, there must be one of them who can be my teacher.” Remember, there is always someone more talented or knowledgeable than oneself in some field of knowledge.
• Respect (尊重) – A process of honoring someone by exhibiting care, concern, or consideration for their needs or feelings. Held in high esteem. Actions like bowing, smile, handshake, saying thank you, or addressing classmates, instructors with respect … Sifu, Sisuk, Sihing, etc. Filial piety is a virtue of respect for ancestors, family, and elders. Respect as a form of behavior and participation is especially important as a basis of how children must conduct themselves in their community, which includes respect for oneself. “If you cannot respect yourself, how can you respect others or expect them to respect you?
• Righteousness (義) – Doing something that is right, should be a way of life. A quality or state of being morally correct and justifiable. Not being a vicious person. One’s attitude towards life is to take responsibility for one’s own actions. By demonstrating this type of personality, one’s “wisdom” mind and not one’s “emotional” mind will be influenced and will develop naturally, which will earn the trust of others.
• Trust (相信) – Belief in the honesty, fairness, or benevolence of another party as well as oneself. Being trusted by others will be developed over time, and true trust can be observed when there is no reservation of being trusted. To make a promise is for one to fulfill its obligation for the other party to truely trust the party making the promise. Trust is a cornerstone of friendship and respect will be earned through this trust.
• Loyalty (忠誠) – An attribute that is developed over time to be loyal through trust. Mutual trust grows with loyalty, especially between a student and master. Commitments or obligations with actions through faithfulness of fulfilling the commitment is a way of demonstrating one’s loyalty to another.
• Filial Piety (孝) – As being a moral deed, filial piety is considered a living code of conduct within the marial arts lineage. It extends beyond the family to include one’s martial arts family – teachers (Sifu), senior students (Si-Hing), and even the ancestors of the style. As part of a moral deed, its obligation or debt is not transactional – it’s not about whether the teacher asks for repayment or whether the student is capable of repaying. The obligation exists simply because the teacher gave. The actions are expressed with respectful conduct, humility and ego control, loyalty to the lineage, and daily demonstration of sincerity, discipline, and embodying the values of the art.

Morality of Mind

Involves the cultivation of the inner harmony (balance) between the emotional mind and the wisdom/intellectual mind. These five attributes below are the key to becoming a great martial artist. The goal is to have balance (reach “no extremity”) … following the Taoist concept of Ying and Yang, where both Wisdom and Emotion are in harmony with each other. Ng Ga Kuen Kung Fu hopes to transform the practitioner through various forms of training, practice, and methods in order to establish a greater foundation to further one’s journey.

• Will (意志) – Willpower will be manifested over time, because a strong will depends on the sincerity with which one commits oneself to their goal. The ability to control thoughts and impulses are typically intrinsically motivated.
• Perseverance (毅力) – The persistent determination to adhere to a course of action. This attribute is usually a manifestation of a strong will.
• Persistence (堅持) – The ability to endure difficult circumstances. Again, this attribute is usually a manifestation of a strong will.
• Patience (耐心) – The ability to endure difficult circumstances over time. Through the martial arts practice, one should strive to learn patience. By practicing a form/set many, many times will provide the practitioner a better understanding for the moves and their application. Many times, the instructor/Sifu can provide the application in one situation, but the move can be applied differently, depending on the situation, so it is with patience and self-control that one can learn over time.
• Courage (勇氣) – Courage originates from the understanding that comes from the wisdom mind. Once, one has the willingness to accept the agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation, one must be brave enough to face these challenges. Without the profound comprehension of courage, bravery can be blind and stupid.
• Filial Piety (孝) – As being a moral of the mind, filial piety in Kung Fu is not just about obedience – it’s about honoring the sacred bond of transmission, preserving the integrity of the art, and cultivating virtue through humility and gratitude. It’s a living expression of Wude (武德), the martial code of ethics.

These virtues serve as guiding principles for martial artists, shaping their character, behavior, and approach to both martial arts practice and life beyond the training grounds. Wude is said to be provided and conveyed in the traditional martial artist. In modern or non-traditional martial arts, the focus is more on performance and self-development pointing toward competition, fitness, or self-defense rather than moral cultivation or lineage preservation. Through the Ng Ga Kuen training, practices, and methods, we hope a transformation of the practitioner’s Mind, Body, and Emotional Spirit will embody the above Martial Morals throughout their life’s journey!

Wǔdé (martial virtue) and Dàodé (moral virtue) are two inseparable concepts in traditional Chinese culture, especially within the practice of martial arts. Wǔdé refers to the character and behavioral standards expected of martial artists—such as loyalty, respect for teachers, humility, self-discipline, compassion, and justice. It is not merely about technical skill, but also about the character and behavior reflected in one’s daily conduct and interpersonal behavior.

Dàodé, on the other hand, is a broader ethical framework, the foundation of personal and social behavior. It represents the core of self-cultivation and moral integrity. A martial artist without moral grounding, no matter how skilled, risks being led astray by ego or selfish intentions.

Wǔdé is the application of Dàodé within the martial arts, while Dàodé forms the root of Wǔdé. They complement each other and must be cultivated together. A true martial artist strives not only for technical mastery but also for inner moral strength—earning respect through virtue. This principle, “cultivate virtue before skill,” is at the heart of traditional martial practice. Seeking martial prowess without moral foundation not only betrays the art but can also harm society and others.