Star Trek: 10 Life Lessons You Can Learn From Worf

4. When Do You Fight? - "Birthright Parts 1&2"

You never know when you will be forced to defend yourself. I'm personally a big proponent of martial arts. I studied tae kwon do in my youth and my eight year old daughter is presently enrolled in Hapkido-Do Karate. I have to confess - I love watching my little girl demonstrate a pain technique manoeuvre on a partner 30 pounds heavier than her. It's a moment of pride. But the sad truth in this day and age is that you never know when she might need it. The same is true in the 24th century. Being of a warrior race, Worf exemplifies this attitude. He is constantly honing his warrior prowess either through unarmed personal combat or practise with the traditional Klingon bat'leth. In "Birthright", Worf journeys to Deep Space 9 and hears a rumour that his father may yet still be alive. Upon planet-fall, Worf discovers a combined colony of Klingons and Romulans who have put their differences behind them and have learned to live together. While living with them for a while, Worf practises Klingon Mok'Bara martial arts exercises to de-stress and distract himself. In doing so, he actually influences a number of the Klingon youth to leave their peaceful life and become true warriors and sons and daughters of Kahless. During this episode, Worf had a number of opportunities to fight. Though he was outnumbered and even facing execution, it's noteworthy that a peaceful kata of the Mok'Bara designed to clear the mind and invigorate the body is the exercise that has the most pronounced effect on the Klingons around him. So, truly, the lesson learned from this encounter is when do you fight?