100 Self Defense Quotes

Following is our list of self defense quotations and slogans full of insightful wisdom and perspective about self defence.

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Famous Self Defense Quotes

Self-defense is not just a set of techniques; it’s a state of mind, and it begins with the belief that you are worth defending. — Rorion Gracie

Self-defense is Nature's eldest law. - John Dryden

Self-defense is Nature's eldest law. — John Dryden

Self defense is a primary law of nature, which no subsequent law of society can abolish; the immediate gift of the Creator, obliges everyone to resist the first approaches of tyranny. — Elbridge Gerry

I'm non-violent offensively. I'm violent to defend myself. — Alex Jones

The best personal defense is an explosive counterattack. — Jeff Cooper

The right of self-defense never ceases. It is among the most sacred, and alike necessary to nations and to individuals. — James Monroe

I often say that sociology is a martial art, a means of self-defense. Basically, you use it to defend yourself, without having the right to use it for unfair attacks. — Pierre Bourdieu

The best form of self defense is to become invisible... If you can't do that learn Wing Chun! — Wong Shun Leung

The best defense is a good offense. — Jack Dempsey

The strength to kill is not essential for self-defence; one ought to have the strength to die. — Mahatma Gandhi

If our lives are endangered by plots or violence or armed robbers or enemies, any and every method of protecting ourselves is morally right. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

A real jiu-jitsu fighter does not go around beating people down. Our defense is made to neutralize aggression. — Helio Gracie

[Self-defense is] justly called the primary law of nature, so it is not, neither can it be in fact, taken away by the laws of society. — William Blackstone

If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun. — Dalai Lama

If you believe in the right to life, then you must believe in the right to have the means to defend that life. — Charley Reese

Short Self Defense Quotes

  • Doesn't the fight for survival also justify swindle and theft? In self defence, anything goes. — Imelda Marcos
  • Your defense will save you on the nights that your offense isn't working. — Adolph Rupp
  • Self-defence, self-confidence, discipline and self control. The values you learn are priceless. — Rickson Gracie
  • Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack. — Sun Tzu
  • A fight is not won by one punch or kick. Either learn to endure or hire a bodyguard. — Bruce Lee
  • Defense is superior to opulence. — Adam Smith
Self defense quote Maturity is learning to walk away from people and situation that threaten your peace of mind, self r
Maturity is learning to walk away from people and situation that threaten your peace of mind, self respect, values, morals and self worth.

The Art Of Self Defense Quotes

A kata is not fixed or immoveable. Like water, it's ever changing and fits itself to the shape of the vessel containing it. However, kata are not some kind of beautiful competitive dance, but a grand martial art of self-defense - which determines life and death. — Kenwa Mabuni

It is a skill we learn early, the art of inventing stories to explain away the fearful scared strangeness of the world. Storytelling and make-believe, like war and agriculture, are among the arts of self-defense, and all of them are ways of enclosing otherness and claiming ownership. — William Kittredge

I love the discipline. I love the schedule of pushing your body to an extreme and getting it to a particular type of physical shape. Learning a new self defense or some kind of martial art that I didn't know before and the loving of that is also hating that at the same time. — Jessica Biel

Self defense quote We are what we believe we are.
We are what we believe we are.

I am so glad people have started making films n martial arts and self-defense, which is actually the need of the hour. — Akshay Kumar

Self Defence Quotes

If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police, and he fears neither judge nor jury. Therefore what he must be taught to fear is his victim. — Jeff Cooper

[Somali maritime violence] is a response to greedy Western nations, who invade and exploit Somalia's water resources illegally. It is not a piracy, it is self defence. It is defending the Somalia children's food. — Muammar al-Gaddafi

For every idealistic peacemaker willing to renounce his self-defence in favour of a weapons-free world, there is at least one warmaker anxious to exploit the other's good intentions. — Margaret Thatcher

Self-reliance is the best defence against the pressures of the moment. — Carl von Clausewitz

The United Nations charter gives every nation the right to self defence, therefore when the American embassies were bombed it was a matter of time before the Americans responded by going for what they suspected were the causes of the attack. — Benazir Bhutto

We need to teach our children how to debate the major life issues. Debate strengthens their beliefs and enables them to defend themselves against ideologies that are going to come their way. — Jim Rohn

Lying is the most simple form of self-defence. — Susan Sontag

Nonviolence becomes meaningless if violence is permitted for self-defence. — Mahatma Gandhi

Legitimate steps of self-defence which Israel takes in its war against Palestinian terror - actions which any sovereign state is obligated to undertake to ensure the security of its citizens - are presented by those who hate Israel as aggressive, Nazi-like steps. — Ariel Sharon

The academic mind, as we know, is sometimes capable of assuming an aggressive attitude. The official mind, on the contrary, is and has to be, expert in the art of self-defence. — Ronald Fisher

Defend Yourself Quotes

It is impossible to call yourself a Christian and defend homosexuality. There is no justification or acceptance of homosexuality... Homosexuality means the death of society because homosexuals can recruit, but they cannot reproduce. — John Hagee

Judo is a study of techniques with which you may kill if you wish to kill, injure if you wish to injure, subdue if you wish to subdue, and, when attacked, defend yourself — Kano Jigoro

If someone speaks badly of you, do not defend yourself against the accusations, but reply; "you obviously don't know about my other vices, otherwise you would have mentioned these as well — Epictetus

Never complain, never explain. Resist the temptation to defend yourself or make excuses. — Brian Tracy

The goal of jiu-jitsu in self-defense isn't to take someone down to the ground - the goal in jiu-jitsu for self-defense is actually to be able to defend yourself on the ground, get up, and get away from an attacker. That's what the goal is. — Jocko Willink

If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: 'He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned.' — Epictetus

You also know you’re surrendered when you don’t react to criticism and rush to defend yourself. Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You don’t edge others out, you don’t demand your rights, and you aren’t self-serving when you’re surrendered. — Rick Warren

Endeavor to have always in your hand a pious book, that with this shield you may defend yourself against bad thoughts. — St. Jerome

Government: If you refuse to pay unjust taxes, your property will be confiscated. If you attempt to defend your property, you will be arrested. If you resist arrest, you will be clubbed. If you defend yourself against clubbing, you will be shot dead. These procedures are known as the Rule of Law. — Edward Abbey

If you defend, rebound and limit turnovers, you're going to put yourself in a position where you can win games — Stan Van Gundy

Martial Arts Quotes

No Fear, No Hesitation, No Surprise, No Doubt — Miyamoto Musashi

Without Knowledge, Skill cannot be focused. Without Skill, Strength cannot be brought to bear and without Strength, Knowledge may not be applied. — Alexander The Great

Fighting is a sport; if you're not humble it's going to bring humbleness to you. — Mike Tyson

The biggest coward of a man is to awaken the love of a woman without the intention of loving her. — Bob Marley

Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams. — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Remember, success is a journey not a destination. Have faith in your ability. You will do just fine. — Bruce Lee

The ideal in Martial Arts is humanitarianism. Accomplishment uses diligence as a goal. — Yip Man

The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things. — Miyamoto Musashi

Don't pray for an easy life, pray to be a stronger man. — John F. Kennedy

Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. - Bruce Lee

Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. — Bruce Lee

People Writing About Self Defense

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John Dryden
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Read quotes by Alex Jones

Alex Jones

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Read quotes by Jeff Cooper

Jeff Cooper
quotes on leadership, life and culture

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Read quotes by James Monroe

James Monroe

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Read quotes by Pierre Bourdieu

Pierre Bourdieu
quotes on education, culture and capitalism

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Read quotes by Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey
quotes on education, leadership and life

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More Self Defense Quotes

A tree never hits an automobile except in self defense. - American Indian Proverbs quote

A tree never hits an automobile except in self defense. — American Indian Proverbs

A tree never hits an automobile except in self defense. - Woody Allen quote

A tree never hits an automobile except in self defense. — Woody Allen

When a government betrays the people by amassing too much power and becoming tyrannical, the people have no choice but to exercise their original right of self-defense — to fight the government. — Alexander Hamilton

Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man. — Thomas Jefferson

Oppressors can tyrannize only when they achieve a standing army, an enslaved press, and a disarmed populace. — James Madison

If you find yourself under lethal attack don't be kind. Be harsh. Be tough. Be ruthless. — Jeff Cooper

Karate is not a game. It is not a sport. It is not even a system of self-defense. Karate is half physical exercise and half spiritual. The karateist who has given the necessary years of exercise and meditation is a tranquil person. He is unafraid. He can even be calm in a burning building. — Mas Oyama

Those who beat their swords into plowshares usually end up plowing for those who kept their swords. — Benjamin Franklin

When the topic of food comes up in conversation with family, friends or casual acquaintances, it’s fascinating to hear the litany of rationalizations, knee-jerk defense mechanisms, self-limiting belief statements and general confusion or ignorance from otherwise intelligent folks when it comes to eating healthfully. But then again, Conventional Wisdom has often led even the best and brightest minds in nutritional science astray. — Mark Sisson

He who is cornered will fight. — Afghan Proverbs

Take Away Their Stick If the other's reaction to our No is to hurt or threaten us, our first instinct may be to hurt them back. A more effective strategy, however, is to neutralize the impact of their behavior. If they are threatening to hit you with a stick, don't hit them back; just take away the stick. In other words, don't attack the other, but simply remove their ability to attack you. — William Ury

Whenever I allow anything but tenderness and compassion to dictate my response to life--be it self-righteous anger, moralizing, defensiveness, the pressing need to change others...I am alienated from my true self. My identity as Abba's child [a child of God] becomes ambiguous, tentative and confused — Brennan Manning

The more automated society gets and the more powerful the attacking AI becomes, the more devastating cyberwarfare can be. If you can hack and crash your enemy’s self-driving cars, auto-piloted planes, nuclear reactors, industrial robots, communication systems, financial systems and power grids, then you can effectively crash his economy and cripple his defenses. If you can hack some of his weapons systems as well, even better. — Max Tegmark

Even the lion protects himself against flies. — African Proverbs

The police and armed forces must prioritize safeguarding their lives, those of their companions and of honest citizens. The use of lethal force is authorized in self-defense or in defense of the lives of Salvadoreans. — Nayib Bukele

Your mind-set is your primary weapon — Jeff Cooper

A people armed and free, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition and is a bulwark for the nation against foreign invasion and domestic oppression. — James Madison

Most attackers are looking for easy victims. They're not looking for a fight, not even a verbal one. Saying No makes you a less attractive target. Submitting and being nice to attackers in the hope that they will be nice to you in return is not the safest strategy. — William Ury

It's a lose-lose situation to get in a confrontation on the street. If you can break contact and get away, break contact and get away. That's what you should learn self-defense for. — Jocko Willink

I used to be someone who would not even tread on an ant. But this is a war for honor and self-defense. A 100 percent elimination policy (by Ankara of the Kurds) has forced me to defense and it has become a glorious defense of a people. — Abdullah Ocalan

When the mask of self-righteousness has been torn from us and we stand stripped of all our accustomed defenses, we are candidates for God's generous grace. — Erwin W. Lutzer

The Black Panther party of Self-Defense is a revolutionary party. — Bobby Seale

Don't forget to bring a knife when you go to the jungle. — Thai Proverbs

No possible future government in Kabul can be worse than the Taliban, and no thinkable future government would allow the level of Al Qaeda gangsterism to recur. So the outcome is proportionate and congruent with international principles of self-defense. — Christopher Hitchens

When carrying a concealed weapon for self-defense is understood NOT as a failure of civil society, to be mourned, but as an act of citizenship, to be vaunted, there is little civilian life left. — Jill Lepore

The challenge to America is to extend to Asia the defensive shield of American power in forms consonant with Asian freedom and self-respect. — Ferdinand Marcos

It is true that a victim who fights back may suffer for it, but one who does not almost certainly will suffer for it. — Jeff Cooper

I've come to believe that total nakedness, that is absolute transparency, that is utter and unfettered and profound visibility, is the only way that we can truly love. Anything less, is self-defense. — Neale Donald Walsch

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. — Jeff Cooper

When under attack, it is necessary to evaluate the situation and to decide instantly upon a proper course of action, to be carried out immediately with all the force you can bring to bear. He who hesitates is indeed lost. Do not soliloquize. Do not delay. Be decisive. — Jeff Cooper

We are fully justified in valuing the life and person of an intended victim more highly than the life of a pernicious assailant. The attacker must be stopped. At once and completely. — Jeff Cooper

The average beast of prey is a decent creature who merely kills for the sake of food or in a fight against an enemy. It is only man who calls killing "sport" and kills for the pleasure of killing; not for food, not for self-defense, but just to satisfy some primitive instinct, once necessary and now perverted. — Gilbert Murray

The way to reason with a predator is to make it aware that it can live in a cage, or it can die, but it can no longer prey upon us. — Massad Ayoob

Anyone who willfully and maliciously attacks another without sufficient cause jeopardize the lives of others. — Jeff Cooper

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