--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You’re not a lumberjack trying to hack…" description: "\"“You’re not a lumberjack trying to hack down a tree. You’re a dancer, and the sword is an extension of your arm. Move with the blade and keep your eyes..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/828/julie-kagawa-241_sword_you-re-not-a-lumberjack-trying-to-hack-d_1226212.png" --- # You’re not a lumberjack trying to hack down a tree. You’re… ![“You’re not a lumberjack trying to hack down a tree. You’re a dancer, and the sword is an extension of your arm. Move with the blade and keep your eyes on your enemy’s upper body, not their weapon.” quote by Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/828/julie-kagawa-241_sword_you-re-not-a-lumberjack-trying-to-hack-d_1226212.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/828/julie-kagawa-241_sword_you-re-not-a-lumberjack-trying-to-hack-d_1226212.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/828/julie-kagawa-241_sword_you-re-not-a-lumberjack-trying-to-hack-d_1226212.png) > ““You’re not a lumberjack trying to hack down a tree. You’re a dancer, and the sword is an extension of your arm. Move with the blade and keep your eyes on your enemy’s upper body, not their weapon.”” [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Compares sword fighting to dancing, emphasizing fluidity and focus on the opponent’s body. **In simple terms:** Swordplay is like dancing, watch the enemy’s torso. Key Takeaway Move gracefully, keep focus on opponent’s core. Themes martial arts focus movement Mood inspirational instructional Type focused graceful When to use this quote - martial arts training - stage combat - self‑defense classes Key Concepts kinesthetic awareness combat strategy mind‑body unity Questions to Reflect On - How does fluid movement improve combat? - What can dancers learn from fighters? A Different Perspective May ignore importance of weapon safety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arm Blade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arm-blade-3773380/) [Body Weapon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body-weapon-1768245/) [Dancer Sword](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancer-sword-3773379/) [Sword](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sword/) [Sword Extension](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sword-extension-3773381/) [Ur Eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ur-eyes/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes you have to fake a smile so no one will notice bloody cuts on us arm or the blade in your hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna/sometimes-you-have-to-fake-a-smile-so-no-one-will-notice-bloody-cuts/) [Anna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna/) > [That's right, karate... made my whole body a weapon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-knotts/that-s-right-karate-made-my-whole-body-a-weapon/) [Don Knotts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-knotts/) > [“If it’s that jerk, he’s going to see my gun. ‘My body is a weapon.’ Dumb sh\*t. I bet my gun can take out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lexi-blake/if-it-s-that-jerk-he-s-going-to-see-my-gun-my-body-is-a-weapon-dumb/) [Lexi Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lexi-blake/) > [My body is my weapon, and I have to keep it in shape; I need to feel strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandar-mitrovic/my-body-is-my-weapon-and-i-have-to-keep-it-in-shape-i-need-to-feel/) [Aleksandar Mitrovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandar-mitrovic/) > [“... What do you want, Ash?" "Your head," Ash answered softly. "On a pike. But what I want doesn't matter this time." He pointed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/what-do-you-want-ash-your-head-ash-answered-softly-on-a-pike-but-what/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Though sword shall be rusted, And throne and crown perish With strength that men trusted And wealth that they cherish, Here grass is still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/though-sword-shall-be-rusted-and-throne-and-crown-perish-with/) [J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/) > [“In Japanese swordsmanship, it is not uncommon to speak of a unity of mind, body, and sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-e-davey/in-japanese-swordsmanship-it-is-not-uncommon-to-speak-of-a-unity-of/) [H.E. Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-e-davey/) > [A sword by itself does not slay; it is merely the weapon used by the slayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/a-sword-by-itself-does-not-slay-it-is-merely-the-weapon-used-by-the/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Technology is, of course, a double edged sword. Fire can cook our food but also burn us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-silva/technology-is-of-course-a-double-edged-sword-fire-can-cook-our-food/) [Jason Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-silva/) > [“Logic. It could get you every time, but he preferred to cut it down with a sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-illene/logic-it-could-get-you-every-time-but-he-preferred-to-cut-it-down/) [Susan Illene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-illene/) > [“His pen spoke more to her than he ever did”. In the war of words, some are unwritten and some are unspoken.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishikant/his-pen-spoke-more-to-her-than-he-ever-did-in-the-war-of-words-some/) [Nishikant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishikant/) > [I find it rude to laugh at a man with a sword.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-find-it-rude-to-laugh-at-a-man-with-a-sword/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“But I saw the pair of them, along with everyone else. Hard to miss. Him towering like a raggedy scarecrow in that flapping black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-kushner/but-i-saw-the-pair-of-them-along-with-everyone-else-hard-to-miss-him/) [Ellen Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-kushner/) > [“If the pen is mightier than the sword, then what is the laptop? A light saber or a life saver?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-the-pen-is-mightier-than-the-sword-then-what-is-the-laptop-a-light/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The truth is heavier than a sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naiyem-chowdhury-rony/the-truth-is-heavier-than-a-sword/) [Naiyem Chowdhury Rony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naiyem-chowdhury-rony/) ## More by Julie Kagawa > [“Ash,” Mab crooned as he drew near. “My poor boy. Rowan told me what happened between the two of you, but I know you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ash-mab-crooned-as-he-drew-near-my-poor-boy-rowan-told-me-what/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“As Annwyl turned away, Keirran rose swiftly, not touching her but very close. "I'm not afraid of exile," he said quietly, and the Summer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/as-annwyl-turned-away-keirran-rose-swiftly-not-touching-her-but-very/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“The nurse whirled and fixed him with a gimlet eye. “You—” she began, then threw her hands up. “Go get ready, idiot. You’ve been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/the-nurse-whirled-and-fixed-him-with-a-gimlet-eye-you-she-began-then/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Don't worry too much about him, Meghan. Robin Goodfellow has always been extra-ordinarily difficult to kill." -Ash”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/don-t-worry-too-much-about-him-meghan-robin-goodfellow-has-always/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Oh, come on. I want to see the big-spiky-ball thing." "You do not need a flail." Kanin scowled, as though imagining what I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/oh-come-on-i-want-to-see-the-big-spiky-ball-thing-you-do-not-need-a/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Ruth's mouth dropped open, her delicate face contorting in outrage. 'Steal? How dare you! I don't steal!' 'That's good,' I went on, smirking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ruth-s-mouth-dropped-open-her-delicate-face-contorting-in-outrage/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“His forehead bumped softly against mine, his brilliant silver gaze searing into me. "I plan to keep you, from everyone, for as long as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/his-forehead-bumped-softly-against-mine-his-brilliant-silver-gaze/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“So nice to see you, human,” a voice purred from an overhead branch. Grimalkin sniffed, looking from me to Keirran, and smiled. “How amusing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/so-nice-to-see-you-human-a-voice-purred-from-an-overhead-branch/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Human?' The girl cocked her head the other way. I caught a glimpse of pink gills under her chin. 'My sisters told me stories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/human-the-girl-cocked-her-head-the-other-way-i-caught-a-glimpse-of/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Try Not to bleed so much on the thorns," he said as I jabbed myself in the palm and hissed in pain. "Right Now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/try-not-to-bleed-so-much-on-the-thorns-he-said-as-i-jabbed-myself-in/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Ethan stood there, his face blue and wrinkled, his lips pulled into a rictus grin. In one hand, he clutched a butcher knife. Blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/ethan-stood-there-his-face-blue-and-wrinkled-his-lips-pulled-into-a/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Care to join me, Goodfellow?” “Oh, ice-boy. A moonlight stroll with you? Do you even have to ask?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/care-to-join-me-goodfellow-oh-ice-boy-a-moonlight-stroll-with-you-do/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“I sagged to my knees as the adrenaline wore off and my muscles started to shake, leaving me weak and nearly hyperventilating. I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/i-sagged-to-my-knees-as-the-adrenaline-wore-off-and-my-muscles/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Without St. George, that balance would tip. Without the Order, there would be nothing to stop Talon and the Elder Wyrm from achieving what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/without-st-george-that-balance-would-tip-without-the-order-there/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [ “This would be so much easier if \[Allie\] hadn't killed the jeep." "For the last time," I growled at \[Jackal\]. "I just pointed out… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/this-would-be-so-much-easier-if-allie-hadn-t-killed-the-jeep-for-the/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) [Explore all 789 Julie Kagawa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) ## More Sword quotes > [“The truth is heavier than a sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naiyem-chowdhury-rony/the-truth-is-heavier-than-a-sword/) [Naiyem Chowdhury Rony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naiyem-chowdhury-rony/) > [“If the pen is mightier than the sword, then what is the laptop? A light saber or a life saver?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-the-pen-is-mightier-than-the-sword-then-what-is-the-laptop-a-light/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“But I saw the pair of them, along with everyone else. Hard to miss. Him towering like a raggedy scarecrow in that flapping black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-kushner/but-i-saw-the-pair-of-them-along-with-everyone-else-hard-to-miss-him/) [Ellen Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-kushner/) > [I find it rude to laugh at a man with a sword.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-landy/i-find-it-rude-to-laugh-at-a-man-with-a-sword/) [Derek Landy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-landy/) > [“His pen spoke more to her than he ever did”. In the war of words, some are unwritten and some are unspoken.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishikant/his-pen-spoke-more-to-her-than-he-ever-did-in-the-war-of-words-some/) [Nishikant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishikant/) > [“Logic. It could get you every time, but he preferred to cut it down with a sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-illene/logic-it-could-get-you-every-time-but-he-preferred-to-cut-it-down/) [Susan Illene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-illene/) > [Technology is, of course, a double edged sword. Fire can cook our food but also burn us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-silva/technology-is-of-course-a-double-edged-sword-fire-can-cook-our-food/) [Jason Silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-silva/) > [A sword by itself does not slay; it is merely the weapon used by the slayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/a-sword-by-itself-does-not-slay-it-is-merely-the-weapon-used-by-the/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [“In Japanese swordsmanship, it is not uncommon to speak of a unity of mind, body, and sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-e-davey/in-japanese-swordsmanship-it-is-not-uncommon-to-speak-of-a-unity-of/) [H.E. Davey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-e-davey/) > [“Though sword shall be rusted, And throne and crown perish With strength that men trusted And wealth that they cherish, Here grass is still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien/though-sword-shall-be-rusted-and-throne-and-crown-perish-with/) [J.R.R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien/) > [I couldn't pick up a sword and go fight anyone, let me put it that way. It's choreography and it's acting. The best sword…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikolaj-coster-waldau/i-couldn-t-pick-up-a-sword-and-go-fight-anyone-let-me-put-it-that-way/) [Nikolaj Coster-Waldau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikolaj-coster-waldau/) > [I'm useless with a sword in real life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bradley-west/i-m-useless-with-a-sword-in-real-life/) [John Bradley-West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bradley-west/) > [“Inscribed on it was a verse from the Quatrains of Omar Khayyam, the eleventh-century Persian mystic. Reading the words aloud I prepared for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tahir-shah/inscribed-on-it-was-a-verse-from-the-quatrains-of-omar-khayyam-the/) [Tahir Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tahir-shah/) > [“The pen is truly mightier than the sword. Unless you're holding a pen and the other guy's holding a sword.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-besseling/the-pen-is-truly-mightier-than-the-sword-unless-you-re-holding-a-pen/) [Dave Besseling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-besseling/) > [“In the words of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant: “There never was a time when, in my opinion, some way could not be found to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-g-moore/in-the-words-of-gen-ulysses-s-grant-there-never-was-a-time-when-in-my/) [Harold G. Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-g-moore/) [Browse all 721 Sword quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sword/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“You’re not a lumberjack trying to hack down a tree. You’re a dancer, and the sword is an extension of your arm. 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