Would You Rather Have Intelligence or Physical Prowess? - Jocko Willink

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Excerpt from JOCKOPODCAST 140

[edwinatwell]

A society that separates its warriors from its scholars will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.

Appreciate the kind words fellas, but I did not make this quote. I read it somewhere. Live by this mantra every day gentleman, you can only attain enlightenment through balance.

[kimosabbe]

"A wise man is mightier than a strong man,
and a man of knowledge than he who has strength;
for by wise guidance you can wage your war,
and in abundance of counselors there is victory."- Solomon

[DeeNguy]

The smart person would find a strong person and they’ll cover each other’s weaknesses.

[Zeroleon]

"Education is important but big biceps are importanter". - Unknown

[ctvwrest]

Jocko is talking in specific instances in this clip. In life, intelligence is paramount and be overall healthy. Physical abilities always fade much faster than intelligence and the ability to properly pass along wisdom

[willmcgregor]

Many think of themselves as highly
intelligent while most people are around average intelligence.
We all have strengths & weaknesses. Those that work Distinguish themselves from the rest.

[Briselance]

I think this question is moot. Because being smart has nothing contrary with being strong.
Unless some critical, incurable, physical disability is at play (and, well, a bit of genes too), smart people can become just as strong as any athlete.

See the Japanese author Yukio Mishima (I cannot remember his real name at the moment)?
He was scrawny and prone to sickness until he was 30 or so and decided to work-out like a careful and methodical madman.
And at 35, he was built like a freaking warrior.

Yet he was a bright author, and one just does not become a most-revered author when one is not intelligent.

So, bottom line:
why choose? I'll cultivate and strengthen both my intelligence and my physical prowesses, as much and as long as I can.

[InnuendoXP]

To a certain degree not everyone has the genetics to be very strong and not everyone is naturally mentally gifted but if you get yourself into the best mental & physical shape for what you're intending on doing you can you're empowering yourself in multiple ways & between them drastically increasing the amount of situations you're capable of handling independently - which makes you more valuable.

Overall though play to your advantages, including manipulating the situation in your advantage as much as you can - cover & compensate for your weaknesses.

[jenniferdana]

I would RATHER have BOTH!!
- Physical Strength
AND
- Intelligence

[wdai]

I want to add to this actually, I think something that gets overlooked is sometimes intelligence depends to a certain extent on strength or at least physical health too. A lot of times intelligence depends on how much time and effort you put into studying and when you have good health your able to push on longer. A lot of the smart kids in my old high school used to be pretty good long distance runners. I've also noticed that my fitness has deteriorated a bit due to personal circumstances over the years and I'm not able to stay as focused as I was before for extended periods of time.

[clawedmist]

Why not both?Balance is important after all. 😊

[yaboiz]

I’m smart and ok on strength. I can always improve on strength and endurance but I can never get more “smart”. I can learn stuff and study but I can’t increase my intelligence.

[nilesoien]

If you’re smart, you’ll know you need to be strong, and you’ll get after it.

[HangTheTJ]

This is another example of how discipline equals freedom

[chrisw]

That's an easy question it's definitely better to be smart You can always work out and get stronger

[jlons]

Being smart and having knowledge are two different things...
Many people are mistaking them here.

[chateroakfirearmschannel]

What up Jocko i. From Shelton CT the valley currently live in torrington CT. You are an inspiration never knew you where out the route 8 corridor in CT all the old Mill cities respect.

[Kjleed]

A friend’s dad, a marine, said one of the best virtue to have is resourcefulness.

[alekai]

Another thing to add: physical exercise is also great for the brain and does increase intelligence. You need both!

[tenminutetokyo]

Strong is smart. With strength everything else comes easy - including smarts.