ETHICAL: Strength Without Control Is Just Violence By Sensei Liam Musiak

The third word in our A.A.E.E.L. Self-Defence Code is ETHICAL—and it’s the one that separates martial artists from street brawlers. Ethics is about doing what is morally right in a given situation, even when emotions are high and adrenaline is flooding your body.

In self-defence, you may need to strike first, strike hard, and end the threat quickly. But once the threat is dealt with—you stop. If your attacker is unconscious or clearly no longer a danger, continuing to hit, kick, or punish them crosses a line. That’s not self-defence anymore—that’s assault.

Real martial arts demand restraint, not rage. At Voracious Karate, we teach that your goal is always to survive and escape, not to dominate or humiliate. You have the skills to cause serious damage—but you also have the discipline not to abuse them.

The ethical martial artist knows when to fight and, more importantly, when to stop. That takes more strength than any punch or kick. If we want to be respected as protectors and not feared as aggressors, we must hold ourselves to the highest moral standards—even in the most chaotic moments. Power means nothing without responsibility.