I have spoken occasionally about the use of poetry as an appropriate way to express the subtleties of martial principles. The 8 important phrases of karate is on example of this as is the 109 line Zettle from the German traditions. Here is another one. This one also derives from the Bubishi and its source is through Master Funakoshi and in that is similar to the eight important phrases.

The original poem is in kanji. Kanji is a symbolic language like heiroglyphics. There are often multiple meanings.

For example Kyo jitsu.

Kyo : unpreparedness, falseness, emptiness

Jitsue: truth, reality, sincerity, honesty, content, substance, result

Kyo jitsu in karate means something similar to emptiness and fullness. Substantial and insubstantial. The dynamic between lack of awareness and focusing on something such that you can be missing an important thing while focusing on something not important.

Because of the depth of meaning in martial concepts, poetry is the best way to express it because implicit within poetry is the responsibility of the reader to discover nuance.

It also means that in translation, the translator has a huge responsibility and abject translations often miss the mark. consequently, I take liberties when i reiterate translations to match my own experiences as faithfully as possible without losing the intregrity of the original works. You ought to do the same.

here is my interpretation of the martial poem "20 important principles" of karate:

There is a distinct beginning and ending to everything. Learn to bow.

Get over the idea of offense and defense. There is no first strike.

The nuances of "what is just" can be developed with martial practice.

Know yourself and then know others.

Careless words or deeds are your errors.

This all goes beyond the practice.

Apply what you learn in this endeavour to all things. Therein lies its beauty.

Consider what you are engaged in as a lifelong pursuit.

Connect to the spirit and then technical aspects will appear. Set your heart free.

Realize that practice is like boiling water; without heat, it returns to its tepid state.

Do not think of winning. Think, rather, of not losing.

Make adjustments according to your opponent.

The outcome of a battle depends on how one handles emptiness and fullness, weakness and strength, not seeing versus being preocupied. [This is the idea of kyo jitsu]

Think of hands and feet as swords. Presume that you face deadly things when you practice.

When you step beyond your own gate, you face a million enemies. The world has crocodile eyes. Deal. Calm down. Wake up.

Formal stances are tools for learning. Later, on you just move.

Practice form precisely; fighting is another matter.

Once again I admonish you to consider light and heavy, expansion and contraction, fast and slow.

The pursuit requires tenacity.

The way, who will pass it on straight and well?