Wu De (武德): The Moral Spine of My Hands —
Reflections of a Martial Artist, Surgeon, and Medical Acupuncturist
There is a moment before every incision I make with the surgical blade—a stillness that feels familiar. It is the same quiescent feeling that precedes the first punch or kick or even the swing of the sword, the same awareness before blade meets the skin. In that moment, I am not only a surgeon, nor merely a doctor or acupuncturist—I am a practitioner of Wu De (武德), martial virtue.
Combining the two Chinese characters, “Wu” (武), which means martial or military, and “De” (德), which translates to virtue or morality.
Together, they represent the idea that medical and martial
arts practice should not only focus on physical skills but also emphasize the
development of character, integrity, and ethical behavior.
Wu De is often translated as “martial morality,” but this
translation is insufficient. Wu De is not a static code to be memorized—it is a
living tool, a way of enacting virtue through conduct, decisions, and
relationships. It is something one does, not merely something not merely
something one knows. It is a way of living – a way of one’s conduct in life.
Traditionally, Wu De is rooted in the ethical foundations of
Chinese philosophy, especially the five Confucian virtues: Ren (仁)
(benevolence), Yi (义) (righteousness), Li (礼)
(propriety), (智) Zhi (wisdom), and (信)Xin
(trustworthiness). These are not abstract ideals; they are practical guides
governing how one acts in moments of consequence—whether in combat, in healing,
or in silence.
The Body Trained, The Mind Tempered
Martial training begins with the body but matures in the
mind. Wu De teaches that skill without virtue is dangerous, and power without
restraint is chaos. In classical understanding, martial ability (Wu Gong)
(武功) must
always be balanced by moral cultivation (Wu De) (武德).
This principle became foundational in my surgical practice. The scalpel blade is not unlike a weapon—it can harm or heal depending on the intention意 and discipline behind it. Wu De reminds me that technical mastery alone is insufficient; it must be governed by clarity of purpose and ethical restraint.
A doctor or surgeon, like a martial artist, must constantly
ask: Is this action necessary? Is it just? Is it proportionate?
Some surgical colleague in private once relayed to me (in
confidence), that to him now every abdominal pain in absence of other pressing
issues is appendicitis and he will not hesitate to remove an appendix which he
reckons is harmless even if the diagnosis isn’t appendicitis. When pressed on
why he does this- the gentleman reiterates that he needs to make enough money
for his family and growing expenses including children in international schools,
family holidays and expensive home and car mortgages.
Wu De as a Way of Life, Not a Role
Wu De extends beyond the training hall. It governs how one
speaks, listens, teaches, and learns. It shapes relationships—between teacher
and student, practitioner and patient, senior and junior. It is reflected in
how one carries oneself both inside and outside formal practice. Respect is a two-way
street between master and student in martial arts.
Do not speak ill of another but yet many doctors throw shade over others due to professional jealousy or due to intense market competition.Doctors badmouthing each other. Does it affect medical students' career choices? - PubMed And the constant belittling and bullying is prevalent in the medical hierarchy particularly in surgical or specialist training. Juniors see and emulate very bad behaviours from some toxic seniors (many whom are very subpar in their field of work to begin with hence this behaviour is used to mask that inadequacy) that later extends beyond the confines of hospital but to their own lives outside.https://journals.lww.com/wpsy/fulltext/2022/04010/the_culture_of_bullying_in_medical_training_must.2.aspx
Lies, rumors and character assasination are common in the medical world
In medicine, this translates into professionalism that is
not performative but internalized. Respect is not reserved for authority—it
extends to patients, colleagues, and even to the uncertainty inherent in the
human body.
The traditional martial world understood Wu De as something
that defines the practitioner before they even act—like a silent credential
visible through conduct. In the hospital, this becomes equally true: one’s
presence, composure, and integrity often speak before one’s technical skill is
demonstrated.
Humility and the Limits of Control
One of the enduring lessons of Wu De is humility. Not as
modesty alone, but as an accurate recognition of limits.
In both martial arts and medicine, there is a gradual
realization: control is never absolute. A fight can turn ugly – you may realize
now you are facing multiple assailants or some may be armed. A surgery can
complicate intra-operatively or post-operatively. A patient can respond
unpredictably. Wu De tempers the illusion of mastery of life with awareness of
the unknown or ambiguity.
Confucian virtue Zhi 智(wisdom) is not merely
knowledge—it is discernment. It is the ability to perceive the right action
within context, not blindly follow “rules”.
The only Surgeon who has Zero (0) complications is the one doesn't operate at all!
This is especially relevant in surgery. Protocols guide us,
but judgment defines us.
Compassion as Applied Strength
Wu De reframes compassion as an active force. In martial
terms, it is the ability to neutralize harm without unnecessary violence. At
higher levels of skill, one resolves conflict without destruction.
In medicine, this becomes the principle of minimizing
harm—not only physically, but psychologically and emotionally.
Compassion is present in:
- choosing
a less invasive intervention when necessary but not hiding behind a less
invasive intervention because you are not capable or competent in performing
such a procedure (in such cases please refer to medical colleagues who
could) Or teaching a martial arts student how to fight on the street or
spar when you have ZERO (0) such experience yourself first-hand! Send them
to those who have done so and can teach!
- taking
time to explain rather than rushing and not trying to be “right” (even if
you clearly are because it is better to “kind” sometimes than to be “right”
all the time),
- acknowledging
suffering without distancing from it. (empathy)https://drkhooleesengplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2020/12/cleft-surgery-life-free-from-bullying.html
Here, Ren(仁)(benevolence) becomes not sentiment, but disciplined care.
Discipline, Conduct, and the Invisible Practice
Wu De is often misunderstood as etiquette—bows, titles,
rituals. But these are merely outward expressions. The essence lies in internal
discipline: consistency, accountability, and self-regulation.
We see many people who only pedestalize those on top and of
use to them like bosses or head of departments BUT they patronize and ill-treat
others “beneath” them. In life, I believe in treating everyone & yes everyone
from the cleaner and the trash-man with respect.
In the operating theatre, discipline manifests as steadiness
under pressure. In acupuncture, it appears as sensitivity rather than force. In
daily conduct, it becomes integrity—doing what is correct even when unseen.
Wu De 武德 emphasizes that virtue is not situational. It is continuous.
Restraint and Right Action
Perhaps the most difficult aspect of Wu De is restraint. The
ability not to act.
In martial arts, the highest skill is avoiding unnecessary
conflict. In medicine, it is avoiding unnecessary intervention.
Modern medicine often rewards action—procedures,
prescriptions, interventions. Wu De introduces a counterbalance: just
because something can be done does not mean it should be done.
Just because selling more fillers may make an aesthetic
doctor more monies does not mean he should. https://drkhooleesengplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2020/08/filler-fatigue-what-your-doctor-does.html Similarly peddling false hope to
parents of children with Cerebral palsy and Autism by pushing courses and courses
of intrathecal stem cells as a “cure” just to profit does not mean we as
medical professionals should do so!
This aligns with Yi 義(righteousness)—the moral clarity
to act appropriately within context, not merely efficiently.
Integration: Martial, Medical, and Human
As a medical acupuncturist, I navigate both biomedical
science and traditional philosophy. Wu De serves as a bridge—not as a relic of
the past, but as a functional framework for modern practice.
It reminds me that:
- healing
is relational, not purely mechanical, there is a psychological and
emotional aspect to it.
- presence
influences outcome,” being PRESENT with the patient – not checking your phone
every minute, answering messages and taking calls during treatment”
- and
the practitioner is part of the treatment (to constantly improve your clinical
skills and judgement & to not be motivated by profits alone).https://drkhooleesengplasticsurgery.blogspot.com/2025/12/what-god-forgot-to-tell-surgeons.html
Across all three disciplines—martial arts, surgery, and
acupuncture—the same principle holds: skill must be guided by virtue, and
virtue must be expressed through action.
Conclusion: The Quiet Standard
Wu De 武德 is not visible in titles or credentials. It cannot be quantified or easily taught through lectures. It is cultivated through repetition, reflection, and responsibility.
It is present in the restraint before a strike, the
precision of an incision, and the sensitivity of a needle.
It is how one chooses to act when action carries weight.
In the end, Wu De 武德 is not about being a martial artist or a doctor—it is about becoming a person whose actions consistently align with clarity, responsibility, and humanity. This is severely lacking in today’s culture of excess, chasing trends, flexing and a loss of concentration and focus in a digitally dominated world.
And in that sense, every patient encounter, every procedure,
every interaction becomes part of the same lifelong practice. A practice
towards perfection of the human psyche and the art of self- realization &
self-actualization.
This is Wu De
Unapologetically yours
Dr Khoo Lee Seng
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