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Timeless Lessons From ‘The Karate Kid’

The power of principles and perseverance.
Timeless Lessons From ‘The Karate Kid’
Daniel (Ralph Macchio) learns karate by painting a fence, in "The Karate Kid."Columbia Pictures
Kimberlee Josephson
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Commentary
The first Karate Kid movie was released in June 1984, and presently, the story lives on with the new release of Karate Kid: Legends. I recently re-watched The Karate Kid and The Karate Kid Part II with my own kids, and these films were just as good as I remembered. When I was growing up in the ‘80s, these films instilled lessons that still resonate. So, in light of the Legends release, I thought it would be fun to pay homage to some classic takes from the originals and point out that Mister Miyagi’s lessons stand the test of time.

Part I

In the first Karate Kid, Daniel LaRusso, aka Daniel-san, played by Ralph Macchio, became an unlikely hero empowered by the wit and wisdom of Mister Miyagi, played by the late Pat Morita. A teenager who has recently moved to a new and seemingly unwelcoming neighborhood, Daniel realizes he needs to get stronger both in body and in spirit. Mister Miyagi, after some convincing, agrees to train Daniel in the art of Karate with the very clear message that Karate is for defense only.
Kimberlee Josephson
Kimberlee Josephson
Author
Dr. Kimberlee Josephson is an associate professor of business at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania, and adjunct research fellow for the Consumer Choice Center. She teaches courses on global sustainability, international marketing, and workplace diversity; and her research and op-eds have appeared in various outlets. She holds a doctorate in global studies and commerce and a master’s degree in international policy both from La Trobe University, a master’s degree in political science from Temple University, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in political science from Bloomsburg University.
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