Killer Instinct

On the other hand, warriors tap into the emotional calm and mental clarity of the killer instinct, and, by using virtue and courage can disperse deadly destructiveness appropriately, without the constraints of emotions. This may sound paradoxical or extreme, but a warrior must be virtuous, and yet capable of unleashing controlled viciousness and brutality. Napoleon once said, "The moral are to the physical forces as three are to one."

The killer instinct is predicated on being emotionless. A warrior must temporarily eliminate fear, anger, remorse, and ego from consciousness. From childhood, we are conditioned to express feelings for ourselves and others. Humans are expressive beings, crying when hurt, laughing when happy, and yelling when angry; however, a warrior must remain emotionless during a violent confrontation because emotions create indecisiveness and dangerous tactical judgments. Control of emotions also prevents anger from weakening the warrior.

Anger is a useless emotion that wastes energy and causes poor judgment. The famous satirist Pietro Aretino said, "Angry men are blind and foolish, for reason at such time takes flight and, in her absence, wrath plunders all the riches of the intellect, while the judgment remains the prisoner of its own pride."

A warrior must not fear death or physical disfigurement. Some see fear as a positive defensive attribute, believing the "fight or flight" syndrome will help defeat the enemy. However, if fear causes inaction or insufficient action, it is detrimental.