“I put to you that a man who is highly trained in the art of combat and the wielding of a weapon, who ignores the contemplation of virtue is at best a thug and at worst a tyrant.” – Ken Cooper
I have time and time again wondered why men fight each other. They do it over the most absurd things; a spilt beer, a misspoken or misheard word, even just to alleviate boredom. This is a symptom of a society who has lost the ability to tell right thought from their own need for gratification.
What definition of virtue you choose is largely moot; be it the Ten Commandments of the Christians, the One rule of the Wiccans, the Four Virtues of Stoicism, or even the Path of a Retainer written of in the Hagakure. There are many avenues of guidance toward right thought, some more useful then others, but I see none of them used by people who possess martial training all too often.
I put too you that to hand a man a weapon and teach him to use it without also teaching when it is appropriate to do so and taking some responsibility for that students actions is irresponsible. Obviously a man’s actions are his own to account for, but a teacher is a figure of authority and therefore must exercise his position to mold the character as well as the martial prowess of his students.
Having said that I will remember the words of a man infinitely wiser then me.
“Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.” – Marcus Aurelius
