The Combat & The Master

Aikido master demanded intensive training,

But never allowed his pupils to compete with other martial-arts academies.

They all complained among themselves but no-one ever had the nerve to bring up the subject in class.

And then one day one of the boys dared to ask:

We have dedicated ourselves wholeheartedly to the study of aikido,

but we shall never know whether we are good or bad fighters.

Because we cannot compete with anyone from outside here.

And may you never need to know that was the master’s answer.

He who wants to fight loses his bond with the Universe.

Here we study the art of resolving conflicts,

Not starting them.