What is a warrior?
There’s no doubt that the word “warrior” is overused in today’s marketing and popular culture. Those ranging from sports figures to social crusaders to political activists have been called “warriors,” often inappropriately or with exaggerated awe. If we look past this overuse of the term, however, we can still find both value and meaning in the word.
Literally, a warrior is one who fights wars. There are those, particularly military personnel (and others who rightly venerate military personnel) who believe the term should be reserved for warfighters only. Some extend the definition to service personnel of all kinds – law enforcement officers, emergency personnel, firefighters, and so on. Still others apply a more liberal definition of “warrior,” one that includes martial artists of all stripes. Finally, there are those who consider “warriors” to be all those engaged in some struggle, some cause, some purpose. This most inclusive interpretation substitutes for war some manner of conflict – both physical and metaphorical.
“Words mean things,” as the saying goes. Every word has a dictionary definition, an accepted common use, and a number of connotations. I think warrior does indeed connote more than simply the fighting of wars. It involves conflict and struggle, purpose, and courage in the pursuit of one’s goals. A warrior is more than a mechanism of war or the proxy of nations’ armed conflicts. The warrior stands for something and does so despite the risks. He does so despite the costs.
It would be in poor taste for any of us to anoint himself or herself with the term, but anyone can be a warrior. Any person of conviction and character – any person capable of living with courage, discipline, and honor – can be a warrior. Any citizen, soldier, or subject may choose to stand up for what is right, despite the consequences that often accompany such decisions. Any human being with the will to fight, to do, and to believe can live – and die – as a warrior.
“Warrior is not a vocation or a compliment. It is not a badge of status. It is not a rank.
It is an ideal to which we all should strive.