Self-Defense

How many people in your martial arts school have ever had to use their skills in real life, other than in the performance of their job, such as a police officer or a bouncer? If there are more than a few, or if a few have had to use their skills more than once, then you are probably in the wrong school, unless you are one of the few yourself, then you probably don't care. In in today's supposed violent society, most people will never have to defend themselves or others from an unsolicited attack. If you are the type of person that seems to always have a reason to defend him or herself, then you have a problem. There have been numerous masters of traditional martial arts who died of old age never having had to defend themselves. Does this mean their life in the martial arts was a waste of time?