There is only one 'retirement plan' for terrorists.
Jim MattisRead
There are hunters, and there are victims. By your discipline, cunning, obedience, and alertness, you will decide if you are a hunter or a victim.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes personal responsibility in determining one's role in life, either as an aggressive pursuer or a passive recipient.
Jim Mattis' quote underscores the importance of self-discipline and awareness in shaping one's destiny. It suggests that individuals have the power to choose their stance in life's challenges—whether they take a proactive and strategic approach, becoming 'hunters,' or remain reactive and vulnerable, becoming 'victims.' This choice is dictated by how disciplined and alert one is, highlighting personal agency.
Themes
DisciplineCunningObedienceAlertnessAgency
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming challenges.
More from Jim Mattis
All quotes →Now from a distance, I look back on what the Corps taught me: to think like men of action, and to act like men of thought!
Jim MattisRead
I believe that many of my young guys lived because I didn't waste their lives because I didn't have the vision in my mind of how to destroy the enemy at least cost to our guys and to the innocents on the battlefields.
Jim MattisRead
For whatever trauma came with service in tough circumstances, we should take what we learned - take our post-traumatic growth - and, like past generations coming home, bring our sharpened strengths to bear, bring our attitude of gratitude to bear.
Jim MattisRead
Policy makers who have never served in the military continue to use the military to lead social change in this country.
Jim MattisRead
It's very hard to live with yourself if you don't stick with your moral code.
Jim MattisRead
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