The Dojo Kun
The dojo kun is the creed of karate-do, repeated at the end of each class. Its five declarations are the guideposts of modern karate-do, the way of karate.
Jinkaku kansei ni tsutomuru koto
Seek perfection of character
Makoto no michi o mamoru koto
Doryoku no seishin o yashinau koto
Reigi o omonzuru koto
Kekki no yuu o imashimuru koto
Refrain from violent behavior
Most mainstream Shotokan karate groups that recite the dojo kun in English use the version above, and a very large number of non-Shotokan or multi-style groups also recite the same creed. For more nuanced translations and ideas about the layers of meaning in the dojo kun please ask your instructors.