The following is an english translation of several kung fu proverbs. Seals were carved by Grandmaster Moy Yat for each one, and that seal set is widely considered to be among his most notable artistic achievements.

Others walk the bow

I walk the string.

The hand that hits

also blocks.

The punch comes

from the heart.

Face your opponent

with your center line.

Hand against hand,

foot against foot,

there is no

unstoppable technique.

When you should hit, hit.

When you shouldn’t, don’t.

Don’t when you can’t.

Don’t when you mustn’t.

When facing your opponent

with your side,

your shoulder becomes

the center line.

Whenever kicking,

the heels face each other.

Beginners must not

use strength.

Pak sao (slap block)

avoids the inner gate.

If you don’t train hard

when you’re young,

you will have nothing

when you’re old.

When using the fist,

don’t stand on ceremony.

When using the kwan (pole),

don’t expect two sounds.

Lineage

The following text is a translation of three seals from the kuen kuit which detail the origins and lineage of the Ving Tsun family.

The Ving Tsun system started during the Ching Dynasty under the rule of Emperor Yung Jing. The Siu Lam Temple was burned down. Five of the senior monks hid themselves in different mountains. The nun Ng Mui lived in White Crane Temple in Wan Nam. She saw a snake and a crane fighting. This gave her an idea to modify the kung fu she knew. She met a girl named Ving Tsun and taught her the new kung fu so she could defend herself against a bully who wanted to force her to marry him. Ving Tsun later divided her new system into siu nim tao, chum kiu, biu je, mui fa jong, luk dim poon kwan, and bot jom doa. Her followers named the style after her. She passed the art on to her husband, Leung Pok Toa, who passed it on to Wong Wa Po. Wong Wa Po passed it on to Leung Lan Kwai, Leung Yee Tai, and Leung Tsun.

Leung Tsun passed it on to Fung Wah and Chan Wah Sheun. Grandmaster Yip Man learned the complete system from Chan Wah Sheun. Grandmaster Yip Man is the leader of the style now. From what I have heard, that is how the family tree has grown. I have set the legend of Ving Tsun in stone carvings for the future generations.  — Grandmaster Moy Yat, 1967.