That is why our masters in Washington are so anxious to disarm us. They are not afraid of criminals. They are afraid of a populace which cannot be subdued by tyrants.
Jeff CooperRead
Never assume that simply having a gun makes you a marksman. You are no more armed because you are wearing a pistol than you are a musician because you own a guitar.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Possessing tools or weapons does not equate to proficiency or skill in using them.
This quote emphasizes the idea that mere possession of equipment, such as a gun or a musical instrument, does not confer the ability or expertise to use it effectively. Jeff Cooper is highlighting the importance of training, practice, and skill development in achieving competence, suggesting that one must invest time and effort to truly master a craft or discipline, rather than relying solely on the tools themselves.
Themes
SkillCompetenceTrainingToolsPractice
In practice
Example use cases
In a self-defense workshop, an instructor might use this quote to illustrate that knowing how to handle a firearm requires training, not just ownership.
More from Jeff Cooper
All quotes →Similar quotes
A man is not old as long as he is seeking something.
Jean RostandRead
As solid rock remains unmoved by the wind, so the wise remain unmoved by blame and praise.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Every ceiling reached becomes a floor.
Aldous HuxleyRead
Good breeding is the result of good sense, some good nature, and a little self-denial for the sake of others.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
What you've got to do is recognize that you don't control everything for a start, you've got to play the cards you're dealt, the hand of cards you're dealt, as best you can, and that's what I always seek to do.
Malcolm TurnbullRead
Our wisdom and deliberation for the most part follow the lead of chance.
Michel De MontaigneRead