"He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words." – Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)

 

Posted by ADAM CARTER on MAR 12, 2024

"He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words." – Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)

 

(1 minute 31 second read)

Martial arts training; principles, techniques, strategies, fitness, they’re all important. But mastering your mind is just as crucial; and for me, that includes avoiding pointless arguments.

It’s easy to get caught up in pointless debates about which style is the best, or which is the strongest, the most effective, or whose lineage is more impressive. Especially with people who are stuck in their ways, these arguments quickly turn into emotional sparring matches with no real winner.

Philosopher Nassim Nicholas Taleb captured this perfectly: “The worst waste of time is arguing with a fool and fanatic…”

These passionate, but often illogical debates pop up everywhere in the martial arts. It’s especially frustrating when someone’s so entrenched in their beliefs that reason goes out the window.

Arguments like this can drain your energy and distract you from what really matters – becoming a better martial artist.

Think about it this way: pointless arguments are like weeds in your garden – they hinder your growth.

Arguing with a closed mind is a battle you can’t win. Instead, choose to disengage, or delete the comment, it’s what I do, saving energy for what truly matters.

Humility is meant to be one of the tenets of the martial arts. But when ego takes over, it gets in the way of reason, of learning and progress.

It should never be about overpowering every opponent, but about achieving inner peace and composure. Think of it like this: “When ignorance screams, intelligence shuts up”, a quote that perfectly embodies this idea.

Faced with someone who’s loud, who maybe wrong, or not open to anything new or different, it maybe wise to stay silent, protecting your inner peace and staying focused on your path.

The martial arts teaches us more than just physical combat, it should help to build mental resilience and emotional strength. And part of that strength is knowing when to walk away from a fight, choosing your battles wisely, both on the mat and off.

So at the end of the day, don’t get sucked into pointless arguments. Focus on your own training and cultivate your inner peace. That’s the path to true mastery.

“He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.” – Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)