7 Best Survival Quotes to Motivate and Keep You Going!

For the preparedness-minded, survival quotes provide a great lesson and reminder about the importance of preparedness.

Considering how survival quotes apply to our specific situation and using those thoughts for inspirational survival revelations and solutions can help make our modern world better for each one of us. And, making our lives better is precisely what preparedness is all about!

With that, here are the best survival quotes to help motivate and keep you preparing.

1. “Luck is a very thin wire between survival and disaster, and not many people can keep their balance on it.” – Hunter. S. Thompson

Your survivability is based in part on luck. Your ability to determine success in your survival efforts also includes a blending of your mindset and physical ability.

Survival of the fittest involves using your basic survival tool, your human brain, to address the constant mental affair of survival through mindset. Some factors that influence your mindset are your situational awareness, creative thinking, how you view the world, personal experience, etc.

When it comes to your physical ability, that is dependent upon your fitness and skill. Are you physically fit enough to perform a task in survival mode? Next, do you have the skill necessary to make what may be the only real hope of survival possible?

Finally, there is the luck that Hunter S. Thompson mentions and which makes his statement land on the best survival quotes list. When Thompson states, “Luck is a very thin wire between survival and disaster,” he is 100% spot on.

2. “Fear is always there; it’s a survival instinct. You just need to know how to manage it.” Jimmy Chin

Fear is definitely a “survival instinct,” as it is our instinct-driven subconscious that grabs our attention with the physical sensation of fear. Our emotional reaction to our fear causes a sympathetic nervous system response that lands someone between entirely in control and completely out of control.

Do you manage your current fear in a way that minimizes the extreme possibility of a freeze, flight, fight response? Managing fear is an important survival tool every human being has at their disposal.

Successfully managing fear teaches us that survival is not just a physical thing. Instead, your physical survival depends on your physical abilities and how you mentally manage the struggles life through at you, such as fear.

As mountain climber and National Geographic photographer Jimmy Chin says, “Fear is always there; it’s a survival instinct. You just need to know how to manage it.“

3. “We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome.” – Isabel Allende

Fortunately, life delivers us miracles. And for many of us, our inner resolve that doesn’t manifest in our everyday life is our miracle. Reality shows us, as Isabel Allende mentions that people surprise themselves and others during times and tests of adversity.

When it comes to the survival of the fittest, many of you will surprise yourself and rise up to do the most heroic deed you may not ever want credit for. At the same time, others who were sure they’d lead the way fail when the chips are down.

When it comes to preparedness, while always playing to people’s strengths, never forget many strengths and weaknesses linger under the surface, out of sight and knowing.

Therefore, always be prepared to be surprised by everyone – including yourself- good and bad.

4. “Surviving in the wilderness is really hard.” – Joe Rogan

Following on the heels of Hunter S. Thompson’s quote about survival and luck is Joe Roga’s quote about survival not being easy.

As history has shown, survival isn’t easy. If it were, it wouldn’t be called survival. Survival is the result of a struggle between not surviving (death) and surviving to struggle another day. The art and skill of surviving day in and day out requires a lot of effort and at least some luck. Therefore, Joe Rogan is correct when he says, “Surviving in the wilderness is really hard!“

5. “In the game of life, survival is only part of the battle.” – Gad Saad

While many in the preparedness community believe it is, survival is not the only part of life. Minimizing our unwanted struggles and leading our best possible lives are also essential aspects of our lives. Together, survival, minimizing unwanted efforts, and living our best lives make up the three goals of preparedness.

So, Gad Saad is 100% correct when he says, “In the game of life, survival Is only part of the battle.” The rest of the battle includes the other two goals of preparedness, minimizing unwanted struggles, and living your best life.

6. “You may delay, but time will not.” – Benjamin Franklin

Time is always moving forward. So too are we and the impending struggles we will face at some time in the future. As time passes by, we gradually lose our opportunity to prepare. We lose our chance to prepare because other things take precedence when we have the time to prepare.

In the end, our unwanted struggle just happens. What doesn’t just happen, though, is our preparations to minimize the impact of our unwanted struggle. What reduces the effect of your unwanted struggle is you taking the time to prepare better.

And that’s exactly what, in my opinion, Benjamin Franklin meant when he stated, “You may delay, but time will not.“

With all of its opportunities and struggles, time is on a collision course with you. The only question is, will you be ready when it is time. Don’t delay!

7. “No arts; no letters; no society; and which is worst of all, continual fear, and danger of violent death: and the life of man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.” – Thomas Hobbes

When discussing the importance of society in his classic work, Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes states that life will be savage and hellish without the presence of an orderly society.

Without society’s protection and stability, the ability to create great works of art, write classic pieces of literature, and do great things does not exist. Hobbes also states that without the reassurances and protection a group provides, people will live a life of fear and violence.

In that case, life for the average person will live a life that is lonely, unfulfilling, violent, and short-lived.

Regarding preparedness, that means having friends and loved ones in your preparedness plan. In the end, the only legitimate hope of survival is to survive with others because the lone wolf, while a romantic ideal, dies a lonely death.

The Bottom Line About Survival Quotes

Survival quotes are a basic tool for improving your preparedness. By examining the survival thoughts and actions of people both past and present, you will be more likely to compare and contrast their beliefs with yours. In so doing, you’ll be more likely to consider possibilities to enhance your preparedness and take your resilience to the next level.

Do you have favorite survival quotes? Tell us in the comments below.

Additional Resources:

1. Ben Franklin’s Best Prepper Quotes
2. 4 Prepping Tips Straight From The Art of War
3. Joe Rogan’s 7 Tips to Survive the Apocalypse
4. Best Survival Podcasts

Stay safe,