Jiu Jitsu Quotes: Wisdom and Inspiration from the Mats

Jiu-Jitsu is a way of life that teaches you to be disciplined, resilient, and humble. Like every other combat, this fantastic martial art has a collection of quotes and sayings embodying its philosophy and approach.

Jiu jitsu and martial arts do not build character, they reveal it. We are all born with unmeasurable courage and determination, but it is as we go through the trials of rigorous training that we rediscover those gifts.”

Ricardo Almeida

In this post, we’ll look at some of the most popular Jiu-Jitsu quotes and sayings and how they may motivate and lead you on and off the mats. Stay tuned!

One Person Wins, and the Other Person Surrenders in Jiu-Jitsu Competitions

“It’s such an honest and open form of competition, your whole body, spirit and mind, against another person’s, where there is a clear and definitive winner, where one person wins and one person surrenders.”

John Danaher

This quote by John Danaher defines competition as an honest and open exchange between two people in which each person puts their whole being – body, soul, and mind – on the line. And then, there will be one winner!

In BJJ competitions, competitors push themselves to their physical and mental limitations to win.

Nevertheless, competition may also be found in other spheres of life, like business or academia, where people fight for recognition, advancement, or funding.

The Mats Don’t Lie

The mats don’t lie

This proverb serves as a reminder that Jiu-Jitsu is a sport of truth. The mats will always reveal your skills and weaknesses, as well as your victories and mistakes.

This BJJ saying encourages grapplers to welcome comments and constructive criticism and see our failures as chances to learn and grow.

Jiu-Jitsu Overcomes Brute Strength and Aggression

“Reduced to its core, jujitsu is the employment of intelligence and skill to overcome brute strength and aggression.”

Renzo Gracie & John Danaher

Jujitsu, at its core, is about utilizing one’s knowledge and talents to defeat brute power and hostility.

Rather than focusing only on physical force, this martial art style stresses using an opponent’s momentum, balance, and strength against them.

A proficient jujitsu practitioner may overcome an opponent bigger and stronger than themselves by using joint locks, throws, and different grappling techniques.

In addition to situational awareness and strategic thinking, jujitsu stresses the capacity to adapt to changing situations in a battle.

Position Before Submission

Position Before Submission

Before trying any submission holds, this statement emphasizes the need to establish and maintain a dominating position over your opponent.

It reminds grapplers that technique and strategy always come first. So, attempting to force a submission without good placement might backfire and leave us defenseless.

Slow Is Smooth, and Smooth Is Quick

“Slow is smooth, smooth is quick”

This proverb emphasizes the significance of technique and effectiveness in Jiu Jitsu. In addition, it serves as a reminder that hurrying or pushing an action might result in blunders and lost energy.

Instead, jiu-jitsu trainees should concentrate on performing our methods with accuracy and fluidity, even if it means moving more slowly initially.

If You Want to Be a Lion, You Must Train with Lions

“If you want to be a lion you must train with lions”

Carlos Gracie, Sr.

This proverb highlights the need for training with purpose and effort. Moreover, it serves as a reminder that how and with who we train determines how we fight.

Indeed, practitioners should constantly strive to be better and more prepared.

This quote urges us to treat each sparring session as a real battle to build the mental fortitude and agility required to prevail in competition.

Jiu-Jitsu Is the Art of Expressing Yourself Honestly!

At the end of the day, Jiu Jitsu is the art of expressing yourself honestly. Every time you put on a Gi, you can’t lie.

Saulo Ribeiro

This phrase emphasizes the need for sincerity and openness while training Jiu Jitsu. Martial arts need physical technique, talent, and mental and emotional strength.

When practitioners put on their Gi, they are prepared for more than just a physical challenge; they also put their honesty and integrity to the test.

Jiu Jitsu necessitates a degree of vulnerability and honesty not often seen in other combat disciplines.

Practitioners must be ready to own their flaws and limits, as well as their powers and strengths. They must be willing to confront their concerns and push themselves to learn and progress.

I Never Go into a Fight Intending to Surrender!

“It’s more than sport for me, because I never get in a fight intending to tap. If I get caught I will die, I will break – I’m not going to tap.”

Rickson Gracie

This statement stresses Rickson Gracie‘s incredible passion and dedication to martial arts. Although Jiu-Jitsu is often practiced as a sport, it transcends ordinary leisure and becomes a way of life for some people.

Taping out or accepting loss is not an option for some grapplers. Instead, they approach every conflict with the mindset that they will fight until their last breath and will not give up even if they are in excruciating agony or injuries.

Although this perspective may seem harsh to others, it demonstrates certain people’s enormous regard and reverence for Jiu-Jitsu. They see it as a self-mastery and personal development rather than a competitive activity.

Fall Seven Times, Stand Up Eight

“Fall down seven times, get up eight.” 

This proverb reminds us that failure is not the end but rather a chance to learn and develop. It inspires us to continue facing adversity and never abandon our dreams.

Jiu-Jitsu Is the Best Fighting System

“I created Jiu-Jitsu which is exactly the best fighting system that exists. Because with the weight and the age that I had, I was able to fight world champions that weighed 100 kilograms.”

Helio Gracie

This Helio Gracie’s saying highlights the effectiveness of jiu-jitsu martial art. Thanks to his skill and technique, Helio created a fighting system to overcome opponents more extensively and robustly than himself.

Helio was known for being smaller and lighter than many opponents, yet he could still defeat them in matches.

This was mainly due to the techniques he developed for Jiu-Jitsu, which focused on leverage and grappling instead of brute force.

Jiu-Jitsu Can Help You in a Variety of Ways

“Jiu Jitsu can support you in terms of giving you more confidence, giving you more capacity to handle stress, handle emotions…” 

Rickson Gracie

This quotation shows some advantages that Jiu-Jitsu training can give people.

Increased confidence is one of the advantages cited. In addition, those who practice Jiu Jitsu acquire many methods and tactics for defending themselves in a physical conflict.

Moreover, Jiu Jitsu needs a high physical and mental discipline level, which may translate to better stress management abilities.

Through repeated practice, practitioners may learn to stay calm and focused under pressure, which can benefit many aspects of life.

Indeed, Jiu Jitsu may also help people better manage their emotions, among other benefits.

Jiu-Jitsu Brings Many People Together

“Jiu jitsu brings so many people together into a family that I think that’s the most awesome thing about jiu jitsu, it’s the friendship that you make.”

Fabio Santos

This remark emphasizes the distinct feeling of community and brotherhood that Jiu-Jitsu practitioners may build. This martial art connects individuals from all areas of life together.

One of the most impressive qualities of Jiu-Jitsu is the ability of its practitioners to create a family-like attachment.

Training, learning, and pushing each other to be the best they can be fosters a feeling of trust and loyalty that is rare to find elsewhere.

People of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences may train together and share several unforgettable moments on Jiu-Jitsu mats.

In addition, this common passion may develop into friendships beyond the gym or competition mat.

Leave Your Ego at the Door

Leave Your Ego at the Door

This proverb serves as a reminder that Jiu-Jitsu is not about proving oneself or showing superiority. Instead, it’s all about learning, developing, and assisting others in doing the same.

This jiu-jitsu quote urges us to approach each training session with humility and openness and to leave our egos at the door.

The Most Valuable Gift Jiu Jitsu Offers Is the Ability to Solve Problems Under Pressure

“For an individual, the greatest gift that I think they get from jiu-jitsu is the idea of solving problems under stress. Every second of every match you’re ever involved in jiu-jitsu is an attempt to solve the problem that my opponent is presenting to me.”

John Danaher

This statement from Jiu-Jitsu coach John Danaher emphasizes the problem-solving side of the sport, which is vital.

Every second of a Jiu-Jitsu battle challenges practitioners to tackle difficulties under high pressure.

This fighting sport challenges athletes to think fast and creatively when under stress, whether fighting against an opponent’s assault or attempting to achieve a successful submission.

Jiu Jitsu practitioners acquire problem-solving abilities that may be applied to many aspects of life by constantly practicing and competing in the sport.

Thinking calmly and logically under stress is vital in various professions and scenarios, including emergencies and high-pressure work contexts.

Be at Ease with Being Uncomfortable

“Jiu-jitsu teaches you to find comfort in very uncomfortable situations.”

Gui Valente

This jiu-jitsu saying reminds us that development and progress often need stepping outside our comfort zone and confronting our problems.

It pushes us to accept pain and uncertainty as chances to learn and broaden our perspectives.

Jujutsu Teaches Us How to Become Direct, Intelligent, and Thoughtful

“Jujutsu teaches us how to become direct, intelligent and thoughtful.  Starting on the mat. Then moving out into our lives.”

Roy Dean

This Roy Dean’s saying emphasizes how Jiu Jitsu may help people develop attributes like directness, intellect, and thoughtfulness in training and everyday life.

Jiu-Jitsu players must utilize their bodies and thoughts in unison to defeat their opponents.

Practitioners acquire tactics and strategies that demand them to be direct and decisive in their actions throughout training. They must also be astute in predicting their opponents’ actions and devising strategies to outwit them.

This combat sport also encourages people to be deliberate in their approach. Practitioners must be mindful of their own and opponents’ bodies, evaluating weaknesses and strengths and appropriately modifying their tactics.

Nothing Will Beat You More Than Life and Jiu Jitsu ….

“Nothing will beat you more than life will, and I think that jiu-jitsu is the better way of translating how to go through those struggles and loving what you’re doing.”

Roberto Cyborg Abreu

This BJJ quote expresses that life may be callous and brutal and that one way to handle such problems is to practice jiu-jitsu.

This grappling and ground-fighting martial art involves significant physical and mental discipline.

According to Roberto Cyborg Abreu, jiu-jitsu is a tremendous tool for learning how to endure adversity while simultaneously preserving a feeling of pleasure and passion for what one is doing.

The Gratifying Part of Jiu Jitsu

“That’s the gratifying part of jiu jitsu, is to watch the people and see how they change for the better. Very few people change for the jiu-jitsuworse.”

Fabio Santos

This quote emphasizes jiu-jitsu’s transforming ability and the good influence it may have on people’s lives.

Jiu-jitsu is more than a sport or martial art; it is a way of life involving discipline, devotion, and endurance.

According to Fabio Santos, one of the most satisfying elements of training jiu-jitsu is seeing the good changes it causes in individuals.

It can impact people’s lives through improved physical fitness, enhanced confidence, self-esteem, or a new sense of purpose and direction.

Conclusion

Jiu Jitsu quotes provide significant lessons beyond the physical practice of martial art.

These timeless sayings may be used as guiding principles to inspire and encourage practitioners of all levels.

Whether you’re a newbie or an experienced black belt, adopting the wisdom of Jiu-Jitsu quotations will help you grow humility, resilience, and tenacity on and off the mats.

Remember to retain an open mind, welcome difficulties, and remain focused on your objectives the next time you go onto the training floor.

If you keep these ideas in mind, you can continue improving and progressing in your Jiu-Jitsu journey and life.

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