Over the weekend, I took another look at “Principles of Self-Defense,” and, as often happens, a section got my attention. This time, I was struck by the chapter on ruthlessness.

In this chapter, Col. Jeff Cooper wrote about being willing to do whatever it takes to protect life and limb if and when attacked. It struck me that not many of us think like this anymore. Ruthlessness is only for the business world and has no place in regular society, according to everything we see in the news media and from the so-called experts.

I think a lot of the problem is that the concept is misunderstood. People seem to think that being ruthless is a personality trait, rather than a decisive decision made to be willing to stand up against bad people. No one is saying to be ruthless toward friends, family or even strangers that are doing you no harm. No one is saying to be ruthless in life. What Col. Cooper is saying, and I agree with him, is to be ruthless toward someone who is attacking an innocent person such as yourself or your loved ones.

The attacker is putting a life in danger with his or her ruthlessness to obtain a goal. We have to be just as ruthless to obtain our goal, which, in case you haven’t realized yet, is not just surviving. You should strive to prevail, which is a fancy word for win.

The best way I’ve ever heard this concept stated is: "There is no such thing as a fair fight, just a winner and a loser. It doesn’t make a difference how you win, just win."

Of course, this breaks tradition with society’s trend of mercy. Well, I think mercy is a great concept, after you’ve won the fight.