Berwick Coates found it something of a shock when he worked out that he had taught over 40,000 lessons. However, with a record like that, it seemed not unreasonable to suppose that he might have a thing or two to say. Among others is the great truth that the classroom is not a democracy, a salon, a debating chamber, or a symposium; it is an arena, which is pervaded by a semi-permanent state of friendly undeclared war. Victory does not go to either side; you win some and you lose some. Survival depends on proper knowledge, awareness, flexibility, resilience, a willingness to learn, thinking on the feet, a sense of humour, and low cunning.