--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fighter is to be always single-minded…" description: "\"The fighter is to be always single-minded with one object in view: to fight, looking neither backward nor sidewise. To go straight forward in order to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/623/d-t-suzuki-8748_crush_the-fighter-is-to-be-always-single-minde_1053881.jpg" --- # The fighter is to be always single-minded with one object… ![“The fighter is to be always single-minded with one object in view: to fight, looking neither backward nor sidewise. To go straight forward in order to crush the enemy is all that is necessary for him.” quote by D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/623/d-t-suzuki-8748_crush_the-fighter-is-to-be-always-single-minde_1053881.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/623/d-t-suzuki-8748_crush_the-fighter-is-to-be-always-single-minde_1053881.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/623/d-t-suzuki-8748_crush_the-fighter-is-to-be-always-single-minde_1053881.jpg) > “The fighter is to be always single-minded with one object in view: to fight, looking neither backward nor sidewise. To go straight forward in order to crush the enemy is all that is necessary for him.” [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A warrior must concentrate wholly on the fight, ignoring distractions, to defeat the enemy. **In simple terms:** Single‑minded focus is essential in combat. Key Takeaway Stay focused on the goal. Themes warrior ethos focus discipline Mood calm determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - military training - sports competition - personal goal pursuit - meditation practice Key Concepts Zen philosophy martial strategy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What distractions could improve your performance if acknowledged? - How can you balance focus with adaptability? A Different Perspective Over‑focus may cause tunnel vision and missed opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Crush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crush/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) [Fighter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighter/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warrior/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [I showed that I could be a different fighter every single fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/belal-muhammad/i-showed-that-i-could-be-a-different-fighter-every-single-fight/) [Belal Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/belal-muhammad/) > [I need to get that Usman fight back at some stage. That loss really helped me focus in on my training a lot more.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-edwards/i-need-to-get-that-usman-fight-back-at-some-stage-that-loss-really/) [Leon Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-edwards/) > [I'm not looking for any more Mayweather undercards. We were looking to get on the Mayweather-Pacquiao undercard. That didn't happen. Now I'm not looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-porter/i-m-not-looking-for-any-more-mayweather-undercards-we-were-looking-to/) [Shawn Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-porter/) > [For me, beating Alistair Overeem means a lot, but the fight I'm looking for is the Francis Ngannou fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jairzinho-rozenstruik/for-me-beating-alistair-overeem-means-a-lot-but-the-fight-i-m-looking/) [Jairzinho Rozenstruik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jairzinho-rozenstruik/) > [I love to fight, and I'm looking forward to being back in the ring, getting the victory, and moving on to challenge for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dillian-whyte/i-love-to-fight-and-i-m-looking-forward-to-being-back-in-the-ring/) [Dillian Whyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dillian-whyte/) > [There's no way I'm ever going into any fight looking for a paycheck, looking for a way out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-mendes/there-s-no-way-i-m-ever-going-into-any-fight-looking-for-a-paycheck/) [Chad Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-mendes/) > [“They weren't looking for a fight, they were looking to fit in.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-e-hinton-2/they-weren-t-looking-for-a-fight-they-were-looking-to-fit-in/) [S.E. Hinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-e-hinton-2/) > [Growing up, I kind of adopted that mentality, going all out, being a warrior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nonito-donaire/growing-up-i-kind-of-adopted-that-mentality-going-all-out-being-a/) [Nonito Donaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nonito-donaire/) > [In 1985, a group of mujahedeen came to Washington and was greeted by President Reagan, who called them "freedom fighters." These people, by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-said/in-1985-a-group-of-mujahedeen-came-to-washington-and-was-greeted-by/) [Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-said/) > [Whenever you do any one thing intensely over a period of time you have to give up other lives you could be living. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/whenever-you-do-any-one-thing-intensely-over-a-period-of-time-you/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [I'm no Kenneth Branagh or Ben Stiller. I'm not that single-minded, 'I'm producing it, directing it, and starring in it' kind of person; that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hollander/i-m-no-kenneth-branagh-or-ben-stiller-i-m-not-that-single-minded-i-m/) [Tom Hollander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hollander/) > ['Bad Taste' was - it was, in many respects, my sort of, my, I guess, my single-minded desire to want to break into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-jackson/bad-taste-was-it-was-in-many-respects-my-sort-of-my-i-guess-my-single/) [Peter Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-jackson/) > [I was single-minded and I had tunnel vision. Now it's time for a change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-ashford/i-was-single-minded-and-i-had-tunnel-vision-now-it-s-time-for-a-change/) [Evelyn Ashford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-ashford/) > [In the foundation and development of a successful enterprise there must be a single-minded pursuit of financial profit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-northcote-parkinson/in-the-foundation-and-development-of-a-successful-enterprise-there/) [C. Northcote Parkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-northcote-parkinson/) > [I am amazed when people say I am single-minded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-van-gaal/i-am-amazed-when-people-say-i-am-single-minded/) [Louis van Gaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-van-gaal/) ## More by D.T. Suzuki > [The worst passion we mortals cherish is the desire to possess. Even when we know that our final destination is a hole not more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/the-worst-passion-we-mortals-cherish-is-the-desire-to-possess-even/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Copying is slavery. The letter must never be followed, only the spirit is to be grasped. Higher affirmations live in the spirit. And where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/copying-is-slavery-the-letter-must-never-be-followed-only-the-spirit/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen, in its essence is the art of seeing into the nature of one's own being, and it points the way from bondage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-in-its-essence-is-the-art-of-seeing-into-the-nature-of-one-s-own/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [The mistake consists in our splitting into two what is really and absolutely one. Is not life one as we live it, which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/the-mistake-consists-in-our-splitting-into-two-what-is-really-and/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Until we recognize the SELF that exists apart from who we think we are - we cannot know the Ch'an ( ZEN ) MIND](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/until-we-recognize-the-self-that-exists-apart-from-who-we-think-we/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Facts of experience are valued in Zen more than representations, symbols, and concepts-that is to say, substance is everything in Zen and form nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/facts-of-experience-are-valued-in-zen-more-than-representations/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [The claim of the Zen followers that they are transmitting the essence of Buddhism is based on their belief that Zen takes hold of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/the-claim-of-the-zen-followers-that-they-are-transmitting-the-essence/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [When we start to feel anxious or depressed, instead of asking, "What do I need to get to be happy?" The question becomes, "What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/when-we-start-to-feel-anxious-or-depressed-instead-of-asking-what-do/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen abhors repetition or imitation of any kind, for it kills. For the same reason Zen never explains, but only affirms. Life is fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-abhors-repetition-or-imitation-of-any-kind-for-it-kills-for-the/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [To point at the moon a finger is needed, but woe to those who take the finger for the moon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/to-point-at-the-moon-a-finger-is-needed-but-woe-to-those-who-take-the/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [One has not understood until one has forgotten it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/one-has-not-understood-until-one-has-forgotten-it/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [That's why I love philosophy: no one wins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/that-s-why-i-love-philosophy-no-one-wins/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen opens a man's eyes to the greatest mystery as it is daily and hourly performed; it enlarges the heart to embrace eternity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-opens-a-man-s-eyes-to-the-greatest-mystery-as-it-is-daily-and/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [“Modern life seems to recede further and further away from nature, and closely connected with this fact we seem to be losing the feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/modern-life-seems-to-recede-further-and-further-away-from-nature-and/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) > [Zen Makes use, to a great extent, of poetical expressions; Zen is wedded to poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-t-suzuki/zen-makes-use-to-a-great-extent-of-poetical-expressions-zen-is-wedded/) [D.T. Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) [Explore all 78 D.T. Suzuki quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-t-suzuki/) ## More Crush quotes > [Mortals are such fragile things. Just tender feelings walking around exposed in their delicate shells...Easy to crush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-marr/mortals-are-such-fragile-things-just-tender-feelings-walking-around/) [Melissa Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-marr/) > [Each child’s story is worthy of telling. There shouldn’t be a sliding scale of death. The weight of it is crushing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anderson-cooper/each-child-s-story-is-worthy-of-telling-there-shouldn-t-be-a-sliding/) [Anderson Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anderson-cooper/) > [I wish that I coul be her. but in the mean time dont forget about me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenzie-ann/i-wish-that-i-coul-be-her-but-in-the-mean-time-dont-forget-about-me/) [Kenzie-ann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenzie-ann/) > [I had to smile when stories emerged questioning whether I was gay. Obviously I knew I wasn't but people were curiously desperate to suggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/i-had-to-smile-when-stories-emerged-questioning-whether-i-was-gay/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [I already know that u know that I like u, the question is Wat r u going to do with that information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/i-already-know-that-u-know-that-i-like-u-the-question-is-wat-r-u/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“My mom believed that you make your own luck. Over the stove she had hung these old, maroon painted letters that spell out, “MANIFEST.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmy-laybourne/my-mom-believed-that-you-make-your-own-luck-over-the-stove-she-had/) [Emmy Laybourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmy-laybourne/) > [I'm very disturbed to find out that the leader of the Townies has a soul and I'm beginning to develop a bit of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melina-marchetta/i-m-very-disturbed-to-find-out-that-the-leader-of-the-townies-has-a/) [Melina Marchetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melina-marchetta/) > [“Connor Crane was currently the secret crush of half the female HHH population. And a couple of the males, too.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gemma-halliday/connor-crane-was-currently-the-secret-crush-of-half-the-female-hhh/) [Gemma Halliday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gemma-halliday/) > [My dream would be to hear rocks at my window n to look out and see u just standing there, in the pouring rain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blondie/my-dream-would-be-to-hear-rocks-at-my-window-n-to-look-out-and-see-u/) [Blondie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blondie/) > [Tireless passion, fierce jealousy, longing to possess and crush-these alone were left of all his love for Rosalind; these remained to him as payment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/tireless-passion-fierce-jealousy-longing-to-possess-and-crush-these/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [He sank into the rocking chair, the same one in which Rebecca had sat during the early days of the house to give embroidery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/he-sank-into-the-rocking-chair-the-same-one-in-which-rebecca-had-sat/) [Gabriel Garcia Marquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) > [...It's an unmeetable level of writing. But even if it's something I feel like I can't ever attain, it doesn't crush my spirit. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-banks/it-s-an-unmeetable-level-of-writing-but-even-if-it-s-something-i-feel/) [Paul Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-banks/) > [Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Hold tenderly that which you cherish, for it is precious and a tight grip may crush it. Do not let the fear of dropping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-alberti/hold-tenderly-that-which-you-cherish-for-it-is-precious-and-a-tight/) Bob Alberti > [In love, making your crush jealous is not going to help it would just make it more complicated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-valdez/in-love-making-your-crush-jealous-is-not-going-to-help-it-would-just/) [Sarah Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-valdez/) [Browse all 2,147 Crush quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crush/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The fighter is to be always single-minded with one object in view: to fight, looking neither backward nor sidewise. To go straight forward in order to crush the enemy is all that is necessary for him.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "D.T. 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