There is an old saying that actions speak louder than words. This isn't the case, however, when it comes to resolving conflict. Actions can make conflict worse, especially if they are violent ones. The most productive way to solve an argument is through words of love and actions of patience. If one practices love and patience when dealing with conflict, it is more likely that a loving resolution will come out of it.

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　　The train clanked and rattled through the suburbs of Tokyo on a drowsy(昏昏欲睡的) spring afternoon. Our car was comparatively empty to other cars— a few housewives with their kids in tow, some old folks going shopping. I gazed absently at the drab houses and dustyhedgerows(灌木篱墙).

　　At one station the doors opened, and suddenly the afternoon quiet was shattered by a man bellowing violent, incomprehensible curses. The man staggered into our car. He wore laborer's clothing and was big, drunk and dirty. Screaming, he swung at a woman holding a baby. The blow sent her spinning into the laps of an elderly couple. It was miracle that the baby was unharmed.

　　Terrified, the couple jumped up and scrambled toward the other end of the car. The laborer aimed a kick at the retreating old woman but missed as she scuttled to safety. This so enraged the drunk that he grabbed the metal pole in the center of the car and tried to wrench it out of its stanchion(支柱). I could see that one of his hands was cut and bleeding. The train lurched ahead, the passengers frozen with fear. I stood up.

　　I was young then, some 20 years ago, and in pretty good shape. I'd been putting in a solid eight hours of Aikido training nearly every day for the past three years. I liked to throw and grapple. I thought I was tough. The trouble was my martial skill was untested in actual combat. As students of Aikido, we were not allowed to fight.

　　"Aikido," my teacher had said again and again, "is the art of reconciliation. Whoever has the mind to fight has broken his connection with the universe. If you try to dominate people, you're already defeated. We study how to resolve conflict, not how to start it."

　　I listened to his words. I tried hard. I even went so far as to cross the street to avoid the "chimpira" the pinball punks who lounged around the train stations. My forbearance exalted me. I felt both tough and holy. In my heart, however, I wanted an absolutely legitimate opportunity whereby I might save the innocent by destroying the guilty.

　　"This is it!" I said to myself as I got to my feet. "People are in danger. If I don't do something fast, somebody will probably get hurt."