To Fight with Honor...

[bushido_man96]

What does this ideal mean to you, in sport fighitng, and in self-defense?

[tallgeese]

Great question!

As it pertains to competivie ring ma's, I think it is about showing respect and class during the fight. It also invovles leaving everything on the mat and fighting to your upmost.

As for self-defense, I think it is all about using ma's only when needed and then within the proper constraints of a proper use of force model. After that, it's agian all about doing what ever it takes to defeat the attacker. Defending that which you have chosen to protect, yourself included, to your upmost ability successfully is key.

For me, honor in this sense is encapsulated within the arts themselves and proper use of them is what defines it. Not codes of conduct outside the combative arena. But that's just me.

[The BB of C]

I usually translate it as fighting for the right things. I've also said that it can mean using only the means necissary to win, as an example, never using a knife or a gun to defeat an unarmed attacker or not breaking someone's bones during a sparring session.

[tallgeese]

Just remember, there may indeed be times where a knife or gun are needed to defeat an unarmed attacker. Best be ready to use them under situational conditions, not just generalizations.

[The BB of C]

Indeed. But rarely. Do you agree?

[tallgeese]

By and large, probibly rarely. Still, I'd never discount it and would certainly never enter a conflict while taking the option off the table.

[Soheir]

To fight fairly in self-defence and in a match. In a match to respect your opponent. Honor should be in the match no matter how it ends.

[JiuJitsuNation]

The first thing that comes to mind for me is this:

Whoever appeals to the law against his fellow man is either a fool or a coward. Whoever cannot take care of themselves without that law is both. For a wounded man shall say to his assailant,"If I live, I will kill you, if I die, you are forgiven" such is the rule of honor.

[sensei8]

What does this ideal mean to you, in sport fighitng, and in self-defense?

In sport fighting, honor means everything; bushido.

In self-defense, honor means nothing to me; survive.

Webster dictionary defines HONOR as...

1. honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions: a man of honor.

That's not how my attacker attacked me. I must meet distainment with distainment. My attacker only wanted to distroy me and/or my loved ones, therefore, I don't have the luxury or the time to worry about honor.

"He who hesitates, meditates horizontal"~ Ed Parker

I don't hit; because it's honest! I don't hit; because it's fair! I don't hit; because it's in line with my integrity! No! I hit because I must!! I will hit anyway I can because my life and/or my loved ones life is in danger. Allow me to me frank and honest; I'll do whatever I deem proper at that exact moment because I want to and because I have to and because I must!

Can I display honor, and/or can I be honorable while I'm engaged in a self-defense situation? Yes I can! But, I'm not thinking about me being honor at that time. No. I'm only consumed at that very moment with one thing; my and/or my loved ones survival. Honor is important, but, only in the moment of the context as well as the content.

I'll let honor take care of itself while I take care of business!

[bushido_man96]

Very nice, Bob.

JJN, I like the quote!