“Self-defense is an act that implies you have something valuable to defend. After the instinct, you begin to wonder. What, specifically, was I aiming to save? What, beyond instinct, makes life worth saving?”
Quote Analysis
In this thought-provoking quote by Emily Arsenault, the concept of self-defense is explored beyond the physical act. Arsenault challenges the reader to consider the value of what they are defending and to question what makes life worth saving. This quote highlights the complexity and depth of human instinct and the underlying motivations that drive our actions. It prompts us to reflect on our own beliefs and values when it comes to self-preservation.
The Importance of Self-Reflection in Self-Defense
In today's world, where conflicts and threats can arise at any moment, the concept of self-defense holds significant importance. Emily Arsenault's words remind us that self-defense goes beyond just physical protection - it is about acknowledging and valuing the worth of our own lives. By reflecting on what truly makes life worth saving, we can better understand our motivations for self-preservation and make more conscious decisions when faced with dangerous situations.
Reflection on Self-Defense
"Self-defense is an act that implies you have something valuable to defend. After the instinct, you begin to wonder. What, specifically, was I aiming to save? What, beyond instinct, makes life worth saving?" - Emily Arsenault
Self-reflection on the value of self-defense
As Emily Arsenault eloquently puts it, self-defense implies that we have something valuable to defend. It prompts us to consider what exactly we are trying to protect and why it is worth saving. Here are some reflective questions to ponder on this topic:
- What do I consider to be valuable or worth defending in my life?
- How does my instinct to protect myself align with my deeper values and beliefs?
- Can the act of self-defense extend beyond physical protection to include emotional, mental, or spiritual well-being?
- In moments of self-defense, what drives me to take action – fear, survival instinct, principles, or something else?
- How do moments of self-defense reveal what truly matters to me in life?
Similar quotes
“It is not an act of bravery to try to save your own village. It is an instinct to protect what you possess. Bravery is when you step in to help when you have nothing to lose.”
“I know that homes burn and that you should think what to save before they start to. Not because, in the heat of it, everything looks as valuable as everything else. But, because nothing looks worth the bother, not even your life.”
“You have a conscience, and a conscience is a valuable attribute, but not if it begins to make you think you were to blame for what is far beyond the scope of your responsibility.”
“The human instinct for self-preservation is strong. I know, because mine pulls at me, too, like the needle on a compass. And everybody - I've been reading some philosophy - everybody seems to agree that the instinct and responsibility of all humans is to take care of themselves first. You have the right to self-defense. You have the right to survive, if you can.”
“Man has no automatic code of survival. His particular distinction from all other living species is the necessity to act in the face of alternatives by means of volitional choice. He has no automatic knowledge of what is good for him or evil, what values his life depends on, what course of action it requires. Are you prattling about an instinct of self-preservation? An instinct of self-preservation is precisely what man does not possess. An 'instinct' in as unerring and automatic form of knowledge. A desire is not an instinct. A desire to live does not give you the knowledge required for living. And even man's desire to live is not automatic: your secret evil today is that that is the desire you do not hold. Your fear of death is not a love of life and will not give you the knowledge needed to keep it. Man must obtain his knowledge and choose his actions by a process of thinking, which nature will not force him to perform. Man has the power to act as his own destroyer--and that is the way he has acted through most of history.”