Taijiquan and Virtues

"Perhaps the want of literature addressing heartfulness in the realm of T'ai Chi stems from the very personal nature of the topic.  Our paths are unique, and along these paths each of us may or may not choose to confront our own standards of integrity and morality while exploring our potential for becoming fully realized spiritual/human beings.  For myself, the issues of morality, integrity, empathy, responsibility, respect and appreciation for life, purposefulness, and joy are inextricably woven into the pursuit of martial arts mastery, and particularly so in the case of internal arts such as T'ai Chi.  This is not to say that I consider there to be only one constant standard for any of these qualities, and certainly I do not see myself as the designated arbiter of any such standards.  I do believe, however, that T'ai Chi practitioners have a unique opportunity, and an incentive, to explore and expand their growth.  They can develop heartfulness according to their own individual scope by virtue of T'ai Chi's emphasis on integrative mind/body experience through the discipline of practice.  To me, this only seems congruent with T'ai Chi's alleged potential as a tool for mastery of self."
-  John Loupos, Inside Tai Chi, 2002, p. 74

"Philosophical ideals in the martial arts:

1. To strive for perfection of character
2. To defend the paths of truth
3. To foster the spirit of effort
4. To honor the principles of etiquette
5. To guard against impetuous courage."

- Herman Kauz, The Martial Spirit: An Introduction to the Origin, Philosophy and Psychology of the Martial Arts.

Virtues and the Martial Arts

Virtue Ethics