What a lovely, unsettling essay, written with incisiveness, sensitivity and humanity. It is also a personal reminder of the difference between the warrior of the West and the warrior of the East, specifically Chinese. Chinese attitude to being a "fighter" is one of society, inclusion and protection of those weaker. It is a belief in being given the gift of proficiency in martial arts to serve others as part of community, not solely self, and there is no self-gratification or glory, apart from the satisfaction that one has fought for society and the common weal. Kung fu schools were governed by a Master or Grand Master, but the underlying philosophies were the tripartite Taoism, Confucianism and latterly Buddhism (in bowdlerised summary, Taoism being at one with the earth, Confucianism being knowing the 'order' of humankind and Buddhism being the leading of a good life (of basic stoicism) in order to reach a blissful state of 'nirvana' and everlasting peace. To be a true Chinese martial artist (as opposed to Japanese with the concept of "bushido", or "way of the warrior"), one has no need of belligerence, aggression or brute force. That is not considered wisdom.

Anyway, many thanks for your contribution, which I truly appreciate.