Be the hunter, not the hunted: Never allow your unit to be caught with its guard down.
James MattisRead
The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The greatest battles are fought in our minds, emphasizing mental strength over physical prowess.
This quote by James Mattis highlights the importance of mental fortitude and strategic thinking in overcoming challenges, particularly in high-pressure situations like a battlefield. It suggests that while physical skill is valuable, success is often determined by one's mindset, decision-making, and mental resilience.
Themes
BattlefieldMindsetMental StrengthStrategyResilience
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational talk, to inspire soldiers before deployment.
More from James Mattis
All quotes →I would happily storm hell in the company of these troops ... how strongly they have demonstrated to the world that free men and women can fight like the dickens.
James MattisRead
For the mission's sake, our country's sake, and the sake of the men who carried the Division's colors in the past battles - who fought for life and never lost their nerve - carry out your mission and keep your honor clean. Demonstrate to the world there is "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy" than a U.S. Marine.
James MattisRead
You cannot allow any of your people to avoid the brutal facts. If they start living in a dream world, it's going to be bad.
James MattisRead
We've backed off in good faith to try and give you a chance to straighten this problem out. But I am going to beg with you for a minute. I'm going to plead with you, do not cross us. Because if you do, the survivors will write about what we do here for 10,000 years.
James MattisRead
Demonstrate to the world there is "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy" than a U.S. Marine.
James MattisRead
Similar quotes
The one thing I never want to see again is a military parade. When I resigned from the army and went to a farm I was happy. When the rebellion came, I returned to the service because it was a duty. I had no thought of rank; all I did was try and make.
Ulysses S. GrantRead
The woman doesn't look up. It's as if she's deaf. Maybe she is. Maybe she's like the Cambodian women I've read about, the ones who witnessed so many atrocities that they have willed themselves blind. Maybe that's what you have to do sometimes to survive. You kill off part of yourself, your hearing or eyesight, your capacity for hope.
Ron RashRead
The peril of the hour moved the British to tremendous exertions, just as always in a moment of extreme danger things can be done which had previously been thought impossible. Mortal danger is an effective antidote for fixed ideas.
Erwin RommelRead
I think I mainly climb mountains because I get a great deal of enjoyment out of it. I never attempt to analyze these things too thoroughly, but I think that all mountaineers do get a great deal of satisfaction out of overcoming some challenge which they think is very difficult for them, or which perhaps may be a little dangerous.
Edmund HillaryRead
Til shade is gone, til water is gone Into the shadow with teeth bared Screaming defiance with the last breath To spit in Sightblinder’s eye on the Last Day.
Robert JordanRead
I would fight for my liberty so long as my strength lasted, and if the time came for me to go, the Lord would let them take me.
Harriet TubmanRead