Courtesy (Civility, Gentility, Manners, Politeness, Kindness)
An excellent definition of courtesy is the gold rule. Quite simply "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." This seems like a simple concept, but in our "every day hustle and hustle lives we often forget it. In the dojang, courtesy is developed in several different ways. One is by having students and instructors show their mutual respect by bowing to each other. Another way is by having students address the instructors and senior students by ma'am, sir, Mr., or miss. Students are also required to not "Talk Back" to a senior or an instructor ever, if the student thinks his superior is wrong. By practicing courtesy in the dojang, students learn to be polite and respectful of others. Regardless of their station in life.

Integrity (Character, Decency, Honesty, Honor, Principle)
To have integrity one must be able to know the difference between right and wrong. One must also feel shame and guilt when consciously doing something wrong, and be able to learn from his or her mistakes. The instructor and student should also be proud of their accomplishments and of treating others honestly and fairly; however, they should never be have in a boastful manner. A student of Tae Kwon Do learns the meaning of integrity in several ways. One way is by having his mistakes corrected before the class which may produce a sense of guilt or loss of face depending on why he was reproved. However, his achievements must also be praised before his peers in order to develop a sense of confidence and justified pride in his accomplishments. A student learns to abide by the rules when sparring class or competing in tournaments. Additionally, when sparring in class, the student learns to resist the temptation not to honor an opponent's technique.

Perseverance (Endurance, Persistence, Steadfastness, Tenacity)
Perseverance is the ability to pursue a goal until it is achieved. It is necessary that each individual develop perseverance in order to achieve difficult, long-term objectives. Happiness and prosperity are most likely to be brought to the individual who will not quit until his goal is achieved. Tae Kwon Do students learn perseverance through their slow progress and attainment of rank. When people first start class, their expectations are often very high. They think that a black belt can be easily obtained within four or five months, and that they will be able to defend themselves against any assailant. These individuals are oftentimes disillusioned after a couple of classes when they realize that practicing Tae Kwon Do is much harder than it looks and takes years to develop good, strong techniques. This is why Tae Kwon Do has such a high drop out rate, and why only dedicated and persistent people ever make it to the black belt level.

Self-control (Manage, Regulate, Command, Govern, Contain)
Self-control is as the name implies, control over oneself. To say that self-control is very important both in and out of the dojang would be a gross understatement. A loss of control during free sparring could prove disastrous by causing permanent injury or even death. Similarly, a loss of self-control in society can be punished by a jail term or possibly a death sentence. As stated by Lao-Tzu: the stronger person is the person who wins over himself rather than someone else. Tae Kwon Do teaches self-control in several ways. The difficulty of many techniques forces the student to be acutely aware of himself and his actions. Also, the honor system under which free sparring is conducted requires the student to control his temper and emotions. Lastly, the student must, be in constant control when attempting dangerous techniques.

Indomitable spirit (Invincible, Unconquerable, Unyielding)
An individual wit an indomitable spirit will, without fear, stands up for what he believes in regardless of consequences or number of oppressors. An example of an indomitable spirit outside of Tae Kwon Do is in the defense of the weak in the face of superior odds or in the defense of country when severely outnumbered. A student can develop an indomitable spirit through board breaking. For example, the student knows that there is a possibility of a painful broken hand or foot if the boards are not hit with the correct technique, 'speed and power. Yet the student overcomes this fear and hits the boards. Also, a novice reequip competes and succumbs to more advanced students. With this, the inexperienced student learns not to fear loss, and to realize that diligent practice is needed in order to prevail. The five tenets are an integral part of the foundation of Tae Kwon Do as any student of the martial art will tell you. They are taught directly in the manner described above, and indirectly through the instructor and high-ranking students. If all students are forced to adhere to these guidelines, they will become a habit that will be incorporated into their daily lives.