Tom Callos Quotations

Yes, a black belt should be able to execute precise, effective, beautiful, and technically proficient martial arts techniques, whatever the style. But just as importantly, a black belt should be able to execute precise and beautiful ideas, equal to or better than their physical techniques. A black belt should have an attitude equal in its brilliance to his or her physical skills.

When the student is ready, the teacher appears. Likewise, when the teacher is ready, the students appear.

Out of the dojo and into the world.

Your job as a teacher is to show your students, through this journey you're taking yourself, how to be the ultimate student.

It's not the bite of the snake that kills you, it's the poison left behind.

The last thing this planet needs is another punch thrown, another grenade tossed, another missile launched; to teach self-defense in today's world is to teach kindness, compassion, and protection from mediocrity.

The ultimate aim of martial arts is about taking what we practice so diligently on the mat --and putting it to work in the world. It's best expressed like this: Out of the dojo and into the world.