Words of Thought

(Chivalry in the martial arts)

I have known several martial artists who train in order to have the ability to make this world a better place. They are/were the ones who rushed in to break up a fight at the bar, or sit in a bad neighborhood waiting for the "bad guy". They are the ones that offer to defend the weaker in a fight.

These martial artists are STUPID. This attitude will get you killed. This isn't grade school, and the fight isn't a game anymore. These people are playing for keeps. Even if you succeed in subduing the assailant, he may stalk you until he finds a place where he can get you. I was told "If you have had a problem with a confrontation, monitor when the person commonly leaves his home. Wait for him outside the door when he normally leaves. As he leaves, swing a baseball bat through his knees and run. He won't bother you again." That just may be you walking with the stiff legs. You will never teach a person a lesson by causing him physical pain and/or damage.

Consider this event. A martial artist witnessed a car theft. He confronted the three thieves and immediately knocked the first to the ground and then disable the second. While he was fighting the third thief, the first thief, who had gotten back up and ran, came back and shot the martial artist in the head. None of the thieves were apprehended.

The bottom line is you have to decide what you will fight for and at what cost. If you see a girl being beaten, will you defend her? Is this worth the risk that your child will no longer have a parent? And what about your widow? Have you really done what you have trained for: protection of self, family and country?

There is a small circle of people whom you would risk your life and the life of your family for. Make a list, and I think you'll find that it is pretty short.

Chivalry, is it dead? If it means risking your life without question to help all of the people being wronged, then yes it is. It just isn't worth the price of your life. We are playing for keeps. You can't ask for it back if you lose this game.

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