I recently read Yukio Mishima's Sun and Steel. It's a short but pretty dense read. In some ways I very much agree with the philosophy laid out in it but at the same time I heavily disagree with the conclusions he made. He spends so much time talking about the importance of building up the body and mind and spirit into something greater than the some of its parts, learning through the body what one can't learn with the mind. Thus far I agree and can appreciate his words. But then comes to the conclusion the best way to use it is to piss it away in some vain Icarus-like selfish desire, instead of using his transcendental strengths to affect the world around him or do good work for others. The conclusions he makes almost ventures into Ayn Rand Objectivist territory (I fucking despise Ayn Rand) and overall is just very selfish, immature, and lacks responsibility. It's certainly an interesting read, and there is good wisdom within, but I simply can't agree with his conclusions.