"The two most important things to do for self-defense are not to take a martial arts class or get a gun, but to think like the opposition and know where you're most at risk."

Action

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Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of Action as articulated by Barry Eisler. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Action provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About Barry Eisler

Barry Mark Eisler is an American novelist. He is the author of three thriller series, the first featuring anti-hero John Rain, a half-Japanese, half-American former soldier turned freelance assassin, a second featuring black ops soldier Ben Treven, and his most recent centered on Seattle detective Livia Lone. Eisler also writes about politics and language on his blog Heart of the Matter, and at the blogs CHUD, Firedoglake, The Huffington Post, MichaelMoore.com, The Smirking Chimp, and Truthout.

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More by Barry Eisler

"The post office actually achieves its mission. I wish we could say the same of the CIA."

— Barry Eisler
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"From the outside, the CIA seems pretty exotic, but from the inside, it's a big, bureaucratic place. Think 'post office with spies.'"

— Barry Eisler
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"I'm not sure why I'm so drawn to heroes who do bad things and to villains who think they're the good guys, but I do find that moral ambiguity and conflict makes for great characters."

— Barry Eisler
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"I can understand the allure of a venerable Big Six imprint, of a shot at the New York Times list, of a publisher-sponsored book tour, of seeing your hardbacks in bookstores and your paperbacks in supermarkets."

— Barry Eisler
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More about Action

"My motivation has always been to do technology apps and companies, not making money. Just because the money's come, nothing's changed."

— Nick D'Aloisio
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"I'm a big believer in everybody being themselves. If not doing a swimsuit calendar is yourself, that's great. But if doing a swimsuit calendar is yourself, then you should be able to do it. What I do outside the car adds to who I am and expresses a different side of me."

— Danica Patrick
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"I solemnly declare that this spiritual kingdom of faith will move forward with or without each of us individually. No unhallowed hand can stay the growth of the Church nor prevent fulfillment of its mission. Any of us can be left behind, drawn away by the seductive voices of secularism and materialism."

— James E. Faust
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"Technology breeds crime and we are constantly trying to develop technology to stay one step ahead of the person trying to use it negatively."

— Frank Abagnale
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