I like the oxymorons, we are giving the impression of being very intellectual people

just as an aside: my girlfriend always complains about a 'grown' man playing 'games', but reading through the forum here, the level of knowledge shared, the stratagies policies and diplomacy used and the level of community in this place, and the skills of some of the players, you have to say that in a world where you are suffocated by rules protecting the weak and fragile, here where the strong survive, it really is a community to be proud of.

oh i think i'm 'welling up'.

Anyway, back to all this, I have perused Machiavelli but as noted, is mostly politics; though I've not sat and read properly, and i've not tried the book of five rings, so I'll have a look. So thanks Warrior & everyone.

P.s. Warrior, is Sensei your nick or are you a Sensei also? I train at U.K.A Karate in UK. Just interested.