The Gift of Violence Quotes

“In evolution, it isn’t the strongest who survive but the ones most able to adapt to the environment, circumstances, and habitat in which they find themselves.”
― Matt Thornton, The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World

“Every human being has a relationship with violence; the mission of an intelligent and pragmatic human being is to make sure that that relationship is a healthy one.”
― Matt Thornton, The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World

“All animal life is, in one form or another, murderous.”
― Matt Thornton, The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World

“As long as there has been life on this planet, there has been violence. Violence is as natural as sex.”
― Matt Thornton, The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World

“Like all animals, our relationship to and with violence has played an essential role in our evolutionary history. Violence is at the heart of who we are as a species. It shaped our past, defines much of our present, and molds our future. It is found within all our mythologies and religions. It is front and center in our news and entertainment. Videos that feature it consistently go viral on social media. It is feared, desired, shamed, celebrated, glamorized, demonized, fetishized, idealized, romanticized, and, so very often, misunderstood.”
― Matt Thornton, The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World

“At the heart of my message is one simple if paradoxical truth: the best way to reduce the risk of violence is to embrace the gift of violence.”
― Matt Thornton, The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World

“I’ll share the first and most important secret about martial arts upfront: most martial arts simply don’t work.”
― Matt Thornton, The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World

“Your goal should be to understand violence as it actually is—so that you can manage its role in your life.”
― Matt Thornton, The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World

“I have a skill set I never want to use. Kindness, love, and compassion are a lot more enjoyable. But kindness and good intentions are never enough for being safe—intelligence and a sincere dedication to facts are also required.”
― Matt Thornton, The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World

“The world isn't suddenly going to become less cruel and violent tomorrow than it is today. Indeed, recent history provides all the evidence you need to understand the folly of such thinking.”
― Matt Thornton, The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World

“Violence is natural. In fact, violence is an essential part of our nature. We wouldn't be here without it. Although no moral or ethical person would ever want to knowingly or intentionally inflict harm on others in the course of daily life, violence remains adaptive under some circumstances.”
― Matt Thornton, The Gift of Violence: Practical Knowledge for Surviving and Thriving in a Dangerous World