[November 14, 2019] Since the beginning of human existence, people have been trying to figure out what makes us mentally tough and prepared to meet the toughest challenges. The world sends us the unexpected and she will test our good judgment, wisdom and readiness. A warrior mindset is essential to maximize performance and ensure victory, especially when the going gets tough.
“When heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on any man, it will exercise his mind with suffering, subject his sinews and bones to hard work, expose his body to hunger, put him to poverty, place obstacles in the paths of his deeds, so as to stimulate his mind, harden his nature, and improve wherever he is incompetent.” – Meng-tzu, Chinese Philosopher from the 3rd Century BC
At the core of any warrior mindset is the absolute willingness to accept the most difficult responsibilities, to take a righteous challenge, to see that the world can be a better place only when the warrior acts properly.1 The warrior mindset means that one must be willing to hold the troubles of the world upon one’s shoulders.
Many have tried to explain the warrior mindset and why we need it even more than ever today. Below are a few ideas that have shaped some of the strongest warriors and their psychological makeup:
- When you get bad news, be ready to step in and help.
- Get a grip on yourself, especially when things are going to hell.
- Seize control the situation.
- Recognize that victimhood is for pantywaist, sissy men.
- Anticipate trouble and make preparations to meet it head-on.
- Don’t look back, keep your eyes open, look forward and face your fears.
- Honor those that have come before you.
- Know that you must face all challenges, sacrifice all, and devote yourself to good.
- Understand that one day you will be called upon for a noble sacrifice and to defeat evil.
- Because you will die; die with your boots on, with courage, and with a smile on your face.
- Have no regrets.
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese-American writer
There are some wonderful and compelling quotes about the warrior mindset that I enjoyed (see below).2 Readers of my daily column will quickly recognize the sources of the quotes; I write of them regularly.
NOTE: This article was inspired by reader Alex from Ammo.com.
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- https://www.theleadermaker.com/virtues-of-the-warrior/
- Warrior Mindset Quotes: Quotes about Mental Toughness and Overcoming Life’s Challenges – https://ammo.com/articles/warrior-mindset-quotes
If only, if only, if only more “men” had the balls to have a warrior mindset, the world would be a much better, more peaceful place. That may seem counter-intuitive but those who know the psychology and sociology of humans, know this to be true.
Is this why you coach football and teach history, Mr. TJ? I would guess that you figured this out a long time ago and here we are today with plenty of examples that support your philosophy on life.
I hope so. Thanks Jose.
I love this “ammo.com” site and the quotes. Somebody is doing a bang-up job there. I think I’ll be buying my next case of 5.56mm ammo from them. Keep your guns safe and your family safer.
Yes, for those who missed it, here is the link: https://ammo.com/articles/warrior-mindset-quotes
There are, of course, more places for good quotes on the warrior. But this one is the best.
On another note, this talk about “the warrior mindset” is really a discussion of masculinity and implies the controversy over the decline of it versus “sensitivity.” The latter is a failure in a tough world. The world remains tough but we think maybe not. Reality will soon meet ideology and reality will win.
I also buy my ammo there. Good prices.
And Ammo.com has a list of references and articles that are helpful for those that support ALL our Constitutional amendments, especially the First and Second Amendments.
https://ammo.com/articles
Alex here from Ammo.com. I’m glad to see more and more people discussing the Warrior Mindset that is important for all of us to develop.
Also, I’m proud to read your positive comments about our site. We work hard so we can arm our customers physically (through ammo sales) and philosophically (through our articles, mentioned above). Great to see others recognizing it!
Hi Alex. We enjoy the discussions of General Satterfield’s leader blog and consider ourselves a leadership family.
Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin is a warrior and has the mindset but his nation is in decline. We best be careful to apply an ideal of the individual to the national level. The consequences are likely to be unknown but could be the opposite of our thinking.
This quote got me to thinking.
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” – Kahlil Gibran, Lebanese-American writer
It appears that today our thinking runs parallel much to the philosophers of the past that saw that you can only achieve great things through living in difficult times. If you survive, you are a winner. If you are a loser, you are a “girly man” without the balls needed to be a good person. You will die whimpering! Me, I’ll die with my boots on.
Jelly, you are always the best. Folks just don’t see that strength is good, weakness is unacceptable. The world is full of bad things and bad people. To survive and to help your family survive honorably and comfortably, you must have the strength and courage to stand up to the chaos.
Hi Mr. K III, I’m one of your many fans (also Mr. Bryce) so please write another article soon for us. Thank you.
As always, great to see you commenting on important issues of the day. We do have a serious deficit in moral courage in America today.
In 2004, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger used the term “girly man” to describe male politicians (mostly Democrats) who were short-sighted, fearful and unwilling to take risks for the sake of the country.
Now Hollywood’s symbol of toughness and masculinity – Arnold S – has seen the light and “regrets” his prior insensitivity and use of language that might offend. This is what we might call …. wait for it …. wait for it …. a girly man. What a pussy!
Kid, you’re killing me (metaphorically of course). Reading your comment nearly caused my coffee to come up thru my nose. Stop it (LOL).
Indeed, the masculine gender – which gave us the civilized and industrialized world we enjoy today – appears on the cusp of extinction. With more men uncertain about gender identity, wearing stilettos, sporting granny buns, suffering dangerously low sperm counts, and under overt and widespread attack by our increasingly feminized culture, the future and health of America is at stake.
I hope to be less pessimistic but I do think you have a good point.
According to the Washington Post, Nikki Haley claims in her new book that Rex Tillerson and Gen. John Kelly tried to recruit her to undermine President Trump in an effort to “save the country.” President Trump has tweeted an endorsement of Haley’s book and urged his followers to order a copy or attend her book tour. Nikki Haley has it!
I must say, Lynn, you jumped on this one with both boots (ha). Got it and right on target with your comment. This lady is going places, but she needs to be careful about too much criticism of others before she gets to her destination. I’m old, so I can say what I want. ?
Excellent, Lynn. Thank you.
The warrior mindset is ONLY for WINNERS. There are no losers or victims. If you want to be the best person you can be without regrets, get a warrior mindset. Here are some who will never achieve it: college professors, college snowflakes, most politicians, journalists, social media creators and readers, —- I could go on but there are just too many.
If you’re from Texas or Montana – you probably have it. If you’re from New York City or San Francisco, the you definitely don’t have it.
Hooah, a battle cry, an expression of morale, an expression of comradeship.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=hooah&view=detail&mid=A49E5F5FCA217614915EA49E5F5FCA217614915E&FORM=VIRE
Thanks Tracey.
Tracey, any one who has spent time in the US military probably has used the expression thousands of times. It’s meaning moves about and thus the context of its use matters. I’m sure the expression was different in the past but that is not important. The meaning is ultimately an expression of camaraderie (Gen. Satterfield recently wrote about it.)
Army Cpt, thanks for the elaboration. Didn’t the US Army try changing the name of soldier to warrior at some point in the recent past?
Hooah! An expression that says “I love it.” Of course, it means other things too depending on context.