"Happiness is neither a tangible thing nor a static emotion; it's a series of moments woven together into a larger picture."
This quote by Sebastian Junger suggests that happiness, unlike physical objects or stable feelings, is a dynamic experience composed of individual moments strung together in the broader context of life. It emphasizes that happiness is not a constant state but rather an evolving tapestry of positive experiences woven over time.
"We can't protect the world by pretending it's not our problem."
This quote by Sebastian Junger highlights a fundamental truth about global issues: they are interconnected, and everyone on Earth shares responsibility for addressing them. It suggests that apathy or denial about problems like climate change, poverty, or inequality is not an option if we want to preserve our planet and its inhabitants. The message urges us to acknowledge the reality of these challenges, engage proactively, and work together to find sustainable solutions.
"The very things that we call our vices, such as love and hatred, pride and greed, are the very things that keep the fire burning brightly."
Sebastian Junger suggests that human emotions often perceived negatively, like love, hate, pride, and greed, are essential to our existence. These emotions drive us, fueling passion and action, much like a fire keeps it burning brightly. In essence, the quote underscores that these fundamental human feelings are not vices but rather vital forces propelling us forward in life.
"Courage is not self-destructive behavior. Courage is perseverance in the face of pain, or in the face of danger, for what one believes."
This quote emphasizes that courage isn't about reckless or harmful actions, but rather the ability to endure hardship or face danger for a deeply-held belief or value. It suggests that true courage lies not in self-destructive behavior, but in resilience and perseverance through adversity.
"Home is not a place but simply an irrevocable feeling."
This quote suggests that home isn't defined by a physical location, but rather by a deep emotional connection or sense of belonging. It implies that the concept of 'home' transcends geographical boundaries and is subjective to each individual, as it encompasses feelings of familiarity, comfort, safety, and love. Essentially, home is where one feels at peace, irrespective of where it might be.
People ask me about 'The Hurt Locker' a lot, and it's an incredible piece of filmmaking - as are 'Band of Brothers' and 'Platoon' and 'Full Metal Jacket' and 'Apocalypse Now.' But they're not necessarily true to war in a literal sense. What they are, really, are brilliant movies about Hollywood's idea of war.
- Sebastian Junger
I think human society for tens of thousands of years has sent young men out in small groups to do things that are necessary but very dangerous. And they've always gotten killed doing it. And they've always turned it into a matter of honor and a way of gaining acceptance back into society if they survived.
- Sebastian Junger
Of the primary emotions, fear is the one that bears most directly on survival. Children show fear. Adults try not to, maybe because it's shameful, or, in some circumstances, dangerous. The fear response is automatic, though, and your body runs through its reflexes whether you want it to or not.
- Sebastian Junger
The negative effects of combat were nightmares, and I'd get jumpy around certain noises and stuff, but you'd have that after a car accident or a bad divorce. Life's filled with trauma. You don't need to go to war to find it; it's going to find you. We all deal with it, and the effects go away after awhile. At least they did for me.
- Sebastian Junger
I don't think people would climb mountains or jump off bridges with parachutes or kayak Class V rapids if those things didn't offer the brief and horrible illusion of imminent death. They would just be complicated, time-consuming endeavors that we'd steer well clear of because they got in the way of real life.
- Sebastian Junger
The combat environment has the effect of flattening out civilian identities. If you're young or old, or a graduate from Harvard or the son of a farmer from Alabama, or if you're gay or straight or good-looking or ugly: none of those things matters much in combat, as long as you can conform to the group expectations.
- Sebastian Junger
What is and isn't justified by military necessity is, naturally, open to interpretation. One of the key concepts, though, is the law of proportionality. A military attack that results in civilian casualties - 'collateral damage' - is acceptable as long as the military benefits outweigh the price that is paid by humanity.
- Sebastian Junger
No one will remember that President Obama supported the Arab Spring if it eventually fails and the region collapses back into the political Dark Ages. If we actively engage these movements with advice, with money, and, when necessary, with military force, then we get a vote in how it all turns out.
- Sebastian Junger
I decided to start a medical training program for freelancers, only freelancers. They're the ones who are doing most of the combat reporting. They're taking most of the risks. They're absorbing most of the casualties. And they're the most underserved and under-resourced of everyone in the entire news business.
- Sebastian Junger
I went to Afghanistan in '96 to write about terrorist training camps south of Jalalabad and Tora Bora, in the mountains. I was there right before the Taliban took over, literally a few weeks before they took Kabul. The frontline wasn't terribly active, but it was definitely there. And they swept into power.
- Sebastian Junger
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