What do you think are the qualities of a GOOD martial artist? What traits do you think a martial artist should have that would make him/her a GOOD martial artist?? I posted this in the Shaolin forum…but i thought it would be a good one here as well!!! Just something we were talking about in class today!!
~Wen~
Depends on what context.
Since I’m aspiring to be a sifu myself, I’ll take my context as the INDIVIDUAL.
If a person is getting the most out of his ability by giving kung fu his full intensity when he trains, then I’d say that such a person is a “good martial artist”.
humbleness
kindness
openmindedness
pateints
compassion
admiration
will
intent
dicipline
respect
just to name a few
what makes a good martial artist
practice
Most of these posts sound like they’re describing what makes a good person, not a good martial artist. In my opinion, a good martial artist has the ability to win fights.
I agree with Mr. Nemo. That’s exactly what I was going to post, but I got beaten to it.
I agree with Nemo
What makes a good martial artist is that they can win fights.
What makes a GREAT martial artist, is that they can win fights and they’ve learnt all the qualities that Earth Dragon posted along the way.
A good martial artist is somebody who can utilize their martial skills to beat another in personal combat.
And, oh, bugger it, I agree with Satanachia. 
Masters of the lost track school said:
Patience
Courage
Perseverence
Intelligence
…and a large collection of Bruce Lee on VHS:D
LOL 
Re: I agree with Nemo
This is a really good question actually, a simple question that may carry many answers, but I do agree with Satanachia also.
A good martial artist isnt neccessarily someone who is just patient, and moral and dicilplined and all the rest of it, but obviously someone who trains so much to be the best that they can be.
Not only to be the best at martial arts but also the best at many other things. Thats what my instructor says and I reckon its great that he says it, cos it really inspires all the youngsters to win in tournaments and any fighting challenge but also to excel at school and so fourth.
yeah, but reasonably question:)
Tae Li;)
I disagree with Mr. Nemo.
I depends on your definition of Martial Artist. Are you seeing the whole person? or are you just looking at they’re ability to fight? Is their ability to fight what makes them a martial artist? Or is it the human being in the martial art what makes them a martial artist?
I tend to look at martial artist as someone who has martial arts inside them and trains in some martial art discipline. Not only can they fight, but they can not fight.
Robin
My experience has lead me to believe that anyone can learn to fight.
What makes a good MA? I define this by the kind of people I would like to learn from, teach, and train with.
Open minded, generous, respectful, considerate, intelligent, clever, light hearted, dedicated, curious, skeptical, ambitious, strong, balanced people with sneaky hands and warm hearts.
I think a good martial artist is someone who has accurately identified their Dosha and work with the attributes of it to overcome the “defects” of it.
While I agree with Earth Dragon’s list, not just for martial artists, but as a person in general, I think it lacks that inner substance of what distinguishes a good martial artist from just a martial artists.
My views of this have changed over the years, from black belt days of Isshin-Ryu and how many boards one can break or how high they can kick or how low or long they can hold their stance.
So here’s my list:
High-level, effective, technology.
Control of their body and mind (being balanced in both).
You may not be able to get these without disciplined, determined practice, but you may practice that way and not obtain this. Without those two qualities, the ability to put martial principles to use affectively, which requires balanced control of your momentum, and a clear mind that does not fall into social traps of being talking into a fight, or being fearful when having to act; without those, I don’t think there is much substance no matter the style.
I think back, and I did think this way when I was a kid studying karate. Kicks and punching are superficial, its what’s behind them that matters.
The ability to win fights doesn’t make a person a good martial artist it makes them a good fighter. A martial artist is someone who lives with the intent to cultivate and master themselves through the vehicle of martial arts.
“Most of these posts sound like they’re describing what makes a good person, not a good martial artist”
The qualities that make a good martial artist are the same as those that make a good person. Aren’t martial artists people? Or are we some special new breed that is above everybody else so we should posses different morals etc.? Of course not cause that would be ridiculous:D
I think we are special.
evolution: was that you that sat next to me on the short bus years ago? 
i’m with shaolindynasty on this one. a person who wins fights is a good fighter, not necessarily a good martial artist. perhaps they are a person who is a good fighter using martial arts even… but a good martial artist, TO ME, implies that “something more” quality… the discipline, responsibility, integrity, etc to carry on the ‘art’ of the martial arts… shrug to each their own i suppose
How about this: all of those qualities can be in a Wushu form stylist, but would you consider them a MARTIAL artists?
Being able to handle oneself in combat is a pre-requisite before I would even consider labeling someone a “decent” martial artist. How nice he is, how much time he spends training is secondary.
I actually have a problem with that mentality, because you hear all the time: “It took me 5 years to get …” Well dumb-a$$, not everyone is so stupid. Maybe it will only take me a month to “get it.” More of coarse to master.
I find people try to limit poeple all the time, try to place their restrictions on others. Time, discipline, is secondary.
I know people who smoke, drink, sex addicts, not necessarily disciplined people, but they will go into a local Dojo and beat all the top students. I’d have to say it, the people I’m thinking about now are pretty good martial artists. There disciplined differently. They’ll bang away at steel bags all day to strike harder. Maybe not too healthy or smart, but committed.
To me, Martial Artists is another word for DEDICATED WARRIOR, one who is mastering, making a scientific art out of warfare.