"Along with judo and kendo, karate-do is a representative Japanese martial art. And as with its fellow martial arts, karate-do should begin as it should end-with rei.
Rei is often defined
as 'respect,' but it actually means much more. Rei encompasses
both an attitude of respect for others and a sense of self-esteem. When
those who honor themselves transfer that feeling of esteem-that is,
respect-to others, their action is nothing less than an expression of rei.
"It is said that 'without rei there is disorder,' and also that 'the difference between men and animals lies in rei.'
The Twenty Guiding Principles of Karate, Kodansha International, 2003