What makes a good martial artist?

[Ghost]

Probably should have been more clear here. im talking more about what makes a difference at the moment of contact. hence my selection of core attributes.
Mike, i agree with what you are saying, im really on about at the point where you are fighting whats going to make the difference.
In heart i include aggrssion and i would say it would include the ability to take it to the next level, having the heart or the drive to do that.

However, you could identify another area in terms of meanness.

Your answers are really solid, i like.

[Ghost]

Yeah i was thinking about this earlier mike and i think you made a really good point here about meanness. i dont think everyone is capable of that but it would be worth adding in as another attribute.
i guess it would be a deciding factor in a street fight, if you are fighting at a level of violence much higher than theirs. They would have to raise their game to that level, if they can, and that means they have to evaluate what they are fighting for.
I expect its natrual for the person being attacked to feel their life is in danger, so they have the correct motivation to raise the bar. the attacker could be someone just looking for a fight, a mugger or whatever and the motivation really could not be there considering why they are doing it.

[Garland]

That's why it's good to avoid fights over trivial and frivilous shit. If you have to fight, by all means, it should be all out.