Top quotes by Jeff Cooper

Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands. Votes: 22

We continue to be exasperated by the view, apparently gaining momentum in certain circles, that armed robbery is okay as long as nobody gets hurt! The proper solution to armed robbery is a dead robber, on the scene. Votes: 16

Colonialism has a bad reputation in the modern context, but Colonial Africa was a far better place for both black and white before the colonists gave up. Votes: 16

A smart man only believes half of what he hears, a wise man knows which half. Votes: 13

Owning a handgun doesn't make you armed any more than owning a guitar makes you a musician. Votes: 11

The will to survive is not as important as the will to prevail... the answer to criminal aggression is retaliation. Votes: 11

If it is ever your misfortune to be attacked, alertness will have given you a little warning, decisiveness will have given you a proper course to pursue, and if that course is to counterattack, carry it out with everything you've got! Be indignant. Be angry. Be aggressive. Votes: 10

Regardless of what we think we know and should happen the reality is that a lot of stock action is random. Therefore, money management is crucial if you want to be successful as a trader. To me, it`s the cornerstone of both making a living at trading and building wealth. Votes: 10

It appears that the murder rate inside prisons is ten times higher than that outside prisons. It must be due to all those Kalashnikov rifles that are issued to prisoners upon their incarceration. Votes: 8

Not long ago it was easy to tell who the bad guys were. They carried Kalashnikovs. Now it is much more complicated, but one thing is sure - any man who covers his face and packs a gun is a legitimate target for any decent citizen. Votes: 8

Your mind-set is your primary weapon Votes: 8

Bushido is all very well in its way, but it is no match for a 30-06. Votes: 7

One cannot legislate the maniacs off the street... these maniacs can only be shut down by an armed citizenry. Indeed bad things can happen in nations where the citizenry is armed, but not as bad as those which seem to be threatening our disarmed citizenry in this country at this time. Votes: 7

Not to our surprise, we discover that gun crime in Britain is up 10.9 percent since the disarmament of the private citizen. Votes: 7

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. Votes: 6

I have long had a tendency to tie marksmanship to morality. The essence of good marksmanship is self-control, and self-control is the essence of good citizenship. It is too easy to say that a good shot is automatically a good man, but it would be equally incorrect to ignore the connection. Votes: 6

The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for evil purposes, but there are more good men than evil, and while the latter cannot be persuaded to the path of righteousness by propaganda, they can certainly be corrected by good men with rifles. Votes: 6

The rifle is a weapon. Let there be no mistake about that. It is a tool of power, and thus dependent completely upon the moral stature of its user. It is equally useful in securing meat for the table, destroying group enemies on the battlefield, and resisting tyranny. In fact, it is the only means of resisting tyranny, since a citizenry armed with rifles simply cannot be tyrannized. Votes: 5

The Germans gathered together ethnic divisions from all over Europe in which men of the same linguistic and cultural background could serve together. The Georgian SS division conducted itself with distinction in normal military action, but a good many people seem to think that anybody who was ever a member of the SS was automatically a war criminal. Votes: 5

A fine marksman is with a second rate rifle is far more effective than the reverse. Votes: 5

If I wasn't a trader, I would probably be in the film business in some capacity and writing in some other form. I went to NYU Film School and London Film School. Votes: 5

It appears that the Soviets are now going to allow prayer in school. One wonders how soon the United States will catch up. Votes: 5

The police cannot protect the citizen at this stage of our development, and they cannot even protect themselves in many cases. It is up to the private citizen to protect himself and his family, and this is not only acceptable, but mandatory. Votes: 4

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. Votes: 4

The 1911 pistol remains the service pistol of choice in the eyes of those who understand the problem. Back when we audited the FBI academy in 1947, I was told that I ought not to use my pistol in their training program because it was not fair. Maybe the first thing one should demand of his sidearm is that it be unfair. Votes: 4

The media insist that crime is the major concern of the American public today. In this connection they generally push the point that a disarmed society would be a crime-free society. They will not accept the truth that if you take all the guns off the street you still will have a crime problem, whereas if you take the criminals off the street you cannot have a gun problem. Votes: 3

By doing what our assailant least expects us to do, we may throw him completely off. ... what he usually least suspects is instant, violent counterattack, so the principle of aggressiveness is closely tied to threat of surprise. Votes: 3

One bleeding-heart type asked me in a recent interview if I did not agree that 'violence begets violence.' I told him that it is my earnest endeavor to see that it does. I would like very much to ensure - and in some cases I have - that any man who offers violence to his fellow citizen begets a whole lot more in return than he can enjoy. Votes: 3

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. Votes: 2

The specific course you decide upon is, within certain parameters, less important than the vigor with which you execute it. Votes: 2

Any man who is a man may not, in honor, submit to threats or violence. But many men who are not cowards are simply unprepared for the fact of human savagery. Votes: 0

The one who fights back retains his dignity and his self-respect. Votes: 0

Anyone who is aware of his environment knows that the peril of physical assault does exist, and that it exists everywhere and at all times. Votes: 0

Observe your cat. It is difficult to surprise him. Why? Naturally his superior hearing is part of the answer, but not all of it. He moves well, using his senses fully. He is not preoccupied with irrelevancies. He's not thinking about his job or his image or his income tax. He is putting first things first, principally his physical security. Do likewise. Votes: 0

At long last I have discovered that most shooters are not interested in firearms as tools, but rather as toys. Such people do not acquire their weapons because of what they will do, but rather to gratify the "Christmas morning joy" that we largely left behind in our childhood. Votes: 0

The consensus is that no more than five to ten people in a hundred who die by gunfire in Los Angeles are any loss to society. These people fight small wars amongst themselves. It would seem a valid social service to keep them well-supplied with ammunition. Votes: 0

Anger, as long as it is controlled anger, is no obstacle to efficiency. Self-control is one thing the sociopath does not usually possess. Use yours to his undoing. Votes: 0

You better be looking for another pitcher. Votes: 0

Let us remind ourselves again that the Second Amendment of the US Constitution should be referred to as the Statute of Liberty. Votes: 0

Use your eyes. Do not enter unfamiliar areas that you cannot observe first. Make it a practice to swing wide around corners, use window glass for rearward visibility, and get something solid behind you when you pause. Votes: 0

Pick up a rifle and you change instantly from a subject to a citizen. Votes: 0

Political correctness is neither political nor is it correct. It amounts to social censorship, and the sooner we spit it out, the better. Votes: 0

An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it. Votes: 0

Blessed are those who, in the face of death, think only about the front sight. Votes: 0

Fight back! Whenever you are offered violence, fight back! The aggressor does not fear the law, so he must be taught to fear you. Whatever the risk, and at whatever the cost, fight back! Votes: 0

Offering democracy to an Arab is like bringing a horse to a steakhouse. Votes: 0

Weapons compound man's power to achieve; they amplify the capabilities of both the good man and the bad, and to exactly the same degree, having no will of their own. Thus we must regard them as servants, not masters - and good servants to good men. Without them, man is diminished, and his opportunities to fulfill his destiny are lessened. An unarmed man can only flee from evil, and evil is not overcome by fleeing from it. Votes: 0

What are we going to do if citizens are disarmed, and the government doesn't obey its own laws? Votes: 0

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. Votes: 0

It seems that the concealed carry policy now in effect in 30 states is unfair to goblins. They cannot tell who is armed and who is not, and when their intended victim shoots back it hurts their feelings - along with other things. Votes: 0

If you don't understand weapons you don't understand fighting. If you don't understand fighting you don't understand war. If you don't understand war you don't understand history. And if you don't understand history you might as well live with your head in a sack. Votes: 0

If you find yourself under lethal attack don't be kind. Be harsh. Be tough. Be ruthless. Votes: 0

Personal weapons are what raised mankind out of the mud, and the rifle is the queen of personal weapons.... Pick up a rifle - a really good rifle - and if you know how to use it well, you change instantly from a mouse to a man, from a peon to a caballero, and - most significantly - from a subject to a citizen. Votes: 0

'Heroism' is not the same as coping. A man who does his job properly and succeeds through his own efforts is definitely to be commended, but he is not a hero in the classic sense until he deliberately lays his life on the line for a cause he deems to be greater than himself. Votes: 0

One correspondent, who is into psychology, notes that in his experience people who are hoplophobes are nearly always nutty in other ways, too. Hoplophobia [fear of guns], of course, is not simply an attitude but rather an aberration in which the sufferer clings to an idea which he himself knows to be unsound, such as the idea that inanimate instruments have a will of their own or that lawbreakers abide by the law. Votes: 0

The trouble with democracy is that 50 percent of the voters are below average. Votes: 0

Anyone who appears to be triggered out of watchfulness and into action by your appearance must be explained. Anyone observing you carefully must be explained. Anyone whose behavior seems to be geared to yours must be explained. If the explanation does not satisfy you, be ready to take appropriate defensive action. Votes: 0

The only acceptable response to the threat of lethal violence is immediate and savage counterattack. If you resist, you just may get killed. If you don't resist you almost certainly will get killed. It is a tough choice, but there is only one right answer. Votes: 0

Remember the first rule of gunfighting ... have a gun. Votes: 0

Buy ammunition! Remember that a man cannot have too many books, too many wines, or too much ammunition. Our adversaries on the other side are reaching for the excuse of lead poisoning. If they can push that idea through, you may wind up still owning your guns but without anything to shoot in them. Votes: 0

All the people constitute the militia - according to the Founding Fathers. Therefore every able-bodied man has a duty under the Constitution to become part of the "well-regulated" militia, specifically to understand and perform well with the individual weapon currently issued to the regular establishment. . . . Thus one who has not qualified himself with the M-16 may not be considered to be a responsible citizen. Votes: 0

Now how do we cultivate an aggressive response? I think the answer is indignation... Your response, if attacked, must not be fear, it must be anger. Votes: 0

The perfect fight is one that is over before the loser really understands what is going on. The perfect defense is a counterattack that succeeds before the assailant discovers that he has bitten off more than he can chew. Votes: 0

It is true that a victim who fights back may suffer for it, but one who does not almost certainly will suffer for it. Votes: 0

The best personal defense is an explosive counterattack. Votes: 0

It is long been a principal of ours that one is no more armed because he has possession of a firearm than he is a musician because he owns a piano. There is no point in having a gun if you are not capable of using it skillfully. Votes: 0

Anyone who willfully and maliciously attacks another without sufficient cause deserves no consideration. Votes: 0

I am sometimes perplexed by people who refer to defensive rifles, or defensive rifle shooting. The defensive arm is the pistol, since you have it at hand to meet situations that you do not anticipate. If you have the luxury of anticipating a lethal encounter, you pick up a long arm, either a rifle or a shotgun, but in that case you go on to the attack. Thus rifle shooting is offensive, and pistol shooting is defensive. Of course, life does not always duplicate theory, and there are exceptions to everything, but nevertheless the rifle is not a defensive weapon in concept. Votes: 0

According to Herodotus, the ancient Persians felt that what was necessary in the background of a young man entering adulthood was his ability to ride, shoot straight, and speak the truth. Perhaps we should now grant our college degrees to young men who measure up to that standard. Votes: 0

It is high time for society to stop worrying about the criminal, and to let the criminal start worrying about society. And by "society" I mean you. Votes: 0

Under any sort of attack, keep cool. And if you must shoot, shoot with precision. Votes: 0

Democracy has many definitions, but what's in it for me is not an element of any of them. Votes: 0

Personal weapons are what raised mankind out of the mud, and the rifle is the queen of personal weapons. The possession of a good rifle, as well as the skill to use it well, truly makes a man the monarch of all he surveys. It realizes the ancient dream of the Jovian thunderbolt, and as such it is the embodiment of personal power. For this reason it exercises a curious influence over the minds of most men, and in its best examples it constitutes an object of affection unmatched by any other inanimate object. Votes: 0

In the larger sense, however, the personal ownership of firearms is only secondarily a matter of defense against the criminal. Note the following from Thomas Jefferson: The strongest reason for the people to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against the tyranny of government. 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. Votes: 0

The proliferation of state concealed carry laws has evidently reduced the rate of violent street crime to a considerable extent. When the goblins do not know who is armed and who is not, their professional enthusiasm declines. Now that Britain has made sure (insofar as any law can so insure) that everybody is disarmed, the streets arem given back to the bad kid with the baseball bat. We hope they are satisfied. Votes: 0

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. Votes: 0

A free man must not be told how to think, either by the government or by social activists. He may certainly be shown the right way, but he must not accept being forced into it. Votes: 0

What you do to prevent further felonious assault, as long as the felon is still capable of action, is justified. Votes: 0

Most governments are designed to protect the government from the people, whereas the United States government was organized to protect the people from the government. Votes: 0

Already a couple of the faithful have sent in checks for a foundation memorial to the innocents who perished at the hands of the ninja at Waco. ... I have been criticized by referring to our federal masked men as "ninja" ... Let us reflect upon the fact that a man who covers his face shows reason to be ashamed of what he is doing. A man who takes it upon himself to shed blood while concealing his identity is a revolting perversion of the warrior ethic. It has long been my conviction that a masked man with a gun is a target. I see no reason to change that view. Votes: 0

We learn that Comrade [President of South Africa Nelson] Mandela has announced in a speech that he hopes for a bright future in South Africa for "˜liberty' and "˜equality.' Anyone who has thought about it realizes that liberty and equality are antithetical concepts. You can have one, or you can have the other, but you certainly cannot have both. As to that, either concept is a rather futile goal. Equality is biologically impossible, and liberty is only obtainable in homogeneous populations very thinly spread. Votes: 0

[T]he only thing the United States government ever did about slavery was to abolish it. Perhaps that was a mistake, but I do not feel inclined to apologize for it. Votes: 0

The proper course of action, when under attack, is usually to counterattack. Votes: 0

It seems evident that the basis for civil safety is homogeneity. A culture which is socially uniform is pretty well devoid of informal violence. Votes: 0

The criminal does not expect his prey to fight back. May he never choose you, but, if he does, surprise him. Votes: 0

If a felon attacks you and lives, he will reasonably conclude that he can do it again. By submitting to him, you not only imperil your own life, but you jeopardize the lives of others. Votes: 0

An armed man, especially if he is armed with a firearm, is dangerous as long as he is conscious. Take no chances. Put him out. Votes: 0

The purpose of the pistol is to stop a fight that somebody else has started, almost always at very short range. Votes: 0

I think the works of W.D. Gann and Robert Prechter have inspired me more than anyone else. It was from their writings that I discovered cycles, patterns, and psychology dominate the market, and that the news breaks with the cycles, not the other way around. Votes: 0

No sensible person ever opens the door of his house without knowing who is knocking. Votes: 0

Don't try to be fancy. Shoot for the center of mass. The world is full of decent people. Criminals we can do without. Votes: 0

The one who anticipates the action wins. The one who does not, loses. Votes: 0

Aggressiveness carries with it an incalculable moral edge in any combat, offensive or defensive. Votes: 0

The conclusions seem inescapable that in certain circles a tendency has arisen to fear people who fear government. Government, as the Father of Our Country put it so well, is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. People who understand history, especially the history of government, do well to fear it. For a people to express openly their fear of those of us who are afraid of tyranny is alarming. Fear of the state is in no sense subversive. It is, to the contrary, the healthiest political philosophy for a free people. Votes: 0

One of the notable aspects of the democratic process is that one need not know anything about a subject in order to pass laws about it. Votes: 0

Your physical safety is up to you, as it really always has been. Votes: 0

The decay of the late, great country of South Africa is beginning to become apparent. The name of the Transvaal has been officially changed to 'Gauteng.' (One of our friends has suggested that in view of this its inhabitants in the future should be referred to as Oranggautengs.) ... And now there is a move afoot to wreck the Kruger National Park, one of the wonders of the world, on the notion that a good bit of its land was 'taken from the blacks.' This idea is somewhat akin to giving Yellowstone Park back to the Blackfeet. Votes: 0

It has long been my conviction that a masked man with a gun is a target. I see no reason to change that view. Votes: 0

There ain't many troubles that a man caint fix With seven hundred dollars and a thirty ought six. Votes: 0

On the very instant that we know that our assailant intends us serious physical harm, we must work just as fast as we can. Votes: 0

In all history the only bright rays cutting the gloom of oppression have come from men who would rather get hurt than give in. Votes: 0

Beware the man with one gun. He can probably use it. Votes: 0

Let your attacker worry about his life. Don't hold back. Strike no more after he is incapable of further action, but see that he is stopped. Votes: 0

If you must use your hands, use them with all the strength you possess... If you choose to strike, by all means strike hard. Votes: 0

The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. They feel that it makes their profession too dangerous when the streets are full of "civilians" who may or may not be armed. Poor babies! Votes: 0

Speed is the absolute essence of any form of combat Votes: 0

We thought everybody knew by now that barrel length has almost nothing to do with accuracy. I believe the myth of the superior accuracy of a long rifle dates from colonial days, when the only way to extend sight radius was to make the barrel as long as possible. It is interesting how long it takes a myth to die. Votes: 0

We are somewhat amused by the hysteria manifest in the press at the suggestion by Gordon Liddy that if one is menaced by bad guys (particularly the ninja) one is wise to shoot for the head. That statement has got a whole bunch of journalists and commentators bleeding from the nose. One wonders why it should. Where else should you shoot a man if he is probably wearing an armored vest? If you decide to shoot you have made the big decision. Where you place your shot is merely a technical matter. Votes: 0

It`s human nature to be optimistic. Any fool can enter a market, it takes talent to exit consistently and profitably. Votes: 0

Therefore, if you are attacked, retaliate instantly. Be sudden. Be quick. Speed is your salvation. Votes: 0

Personal weapons are what raised mankind out of the mud, and the rifle is the queen of personal weapons. Votes: 0

It may be that there is such a thing as racial memory, and it is supported by the undeniable observation that the goblins will get you if you don't watch out. Votes: 0

The essential thing is to bear always in mind that trouble can appear at any time. Be aware.Be ready.Be alert. Votes: 0

Know what is behind you, and pay particular attention to anything out of place. Votes: 0

The rifle is the queen of weapons and its effective use is one of the greatest satisfactions available to man. Votes: 0

If a principle exists it must be immutable, for that is what a principle is - a truth standing apart from the mood of the times. Votes: 0

It is okay to cut your wife's throat as long as you are rich, famous"”and black. Votes: 0

"What would I do if?.." By thinking tactically, we can more easily arrive at correct tactical solutions, and practice - even theoretical practice - tends to produce confidence in our solutions which, in turn, makes it easier for us, and thus quicker, to reach a decision. Votes: 0

It's a matter of will. If you know that you can keep your head, and that you must keep your head, you probably will keep your head. Votes: 0

Without the institution of slavery, civilization would never have been achieved, for no one could ever have done anything intellectual if he had to spend all his time hewing and digging and fighting. Votes: 0