Editor’s Note: In honor of Quantum of Solace being released today, AoM contributor Cameron Schaefer has put together this rundown of Bond’s most manly qualities.
Admit it, if you’re a man, you’ve thought about how cool it would be to spend a day in the shoes of 007 himself, “Bond, James Bond.” The cars, adventure, beautiful women, and all the ridiculous spy gadgets. Seriously, who wouldn’t enjoy sporting a wrist-mounted dart gun?
But, there’s something else that attracts us (in a manly way) to Bond. It’s not just the lifestyle and accessories, it’s how he embodies so many of the qualities that we admire in a man. Confidence, strength, self-control (with one glaring exception), independence, and charm mixed with a bit of brute force. He seems to hold the world in his hands, but he’d just as easily give it all away.
Starting with “Dr. No” in 1962, each incarnation of Bond, from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig, has given men a look at how to live the high life, one of sophistication and grace, but far from gentle. The following are some lessons that every man can take away from the life of James Bond.
1) Finish What You Start. A man can be counted on to complete the mission, whatever it may be. Anyone can start something, but very few can consistently finish. James Bond shows us that determination isn’t an optional part of manhood, it’s required.
Think of the men in your life you look up to. Chances are they are people you can trust to do what they say. These are the people we follow, model, and celebrate. For them, how one starts the race isn’t nearly as important as how one finishes. When things get hard and go wrong, it doesn’t cause them to throw in the towel, it only pushes them harder. In the same way, Bond is a closer, something for which all of us men should strive.
2) Dominate Technology. Bond is a man that keeps up with the times. He is a master of the current technology and gadgets, but never their slave. You won’t find Bond spending hours each day frivolously texting away or sporting a permanent bluetooth headset. Wherever Bond is, he is ALL there, not constantly sidetracked by his Blackberry. He uses technology when he needs it and chucks it when he doesn’t.
Technology can be a great asset, but like many things it can often warp into something we can’t live without. In doing so, it takes a place in our life that it has no business taking. Bond is the type of man that keeps tech in it’s proper place- a place of servitude.
3) Know Your Enemy – Like any good practitioner of war, Bond never enters a battle without knowing the intricate details of his enemy. Not just who he is, but how he thinks, what he desires, what he fears and how he can be exploited.
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle. – Sun Tzu
For Bond, and for all men, sometimes the enemy is quite obvious, while at other times they cleverly hide their ulterior motives. Your enemy could be a business rival that is seeking your destruction or even some type of character assassin like an addiction, a weakness, or a character flaw. Regardless, knowledge is key to victory in any of these areas. Identifying the enemies in your life, learning their ins and outs, and defeating them at every turn is something Bond understands and all of us should as well.
4) Dress to Kill – For centuries, part of being a man meant dressing well for every occasion. Suits, hats, collared shirts and well-fitting trousers were a necessary part of living well. Somewhere along the line it became acceptable for a man to leave the house in baggy sweatpants, t-shirt, and a baseball cap.
You might be saying, “But I’m a man, only women care about how they dress.” To you Bond would reply, “You’re an idiot, kind sir, ” as he walked off with your girlfriend. How a man dresses says something about him and men who dress well exude and inspire confidence. So ditch your old, ill-fitting rags and invest in a quality wardrobe. After all, the first step towards being Bond is dressing like him.
5) Know How to Handle Your Weapon – Bond, understands the value of having a firearm and knowing how to use it. While he only discharges his weapon when absolutely necessary, 007 is well-equipped to defend himself and those around him when the situation arises.
Becoming a skilled firearms user doesn’t mean you need to turn your house into a one-stop armory. Simply stopping by the local gun range every once and awhile and/or taking a gun safety class can make a big difference. Also, a man should know how to properly clean his gun. After all, a quality weapon is a valuable tool, but it is only as good as the person operating it.
6) Stay Cool – Remember that one segment in the last 007 movie where Bond cracked under the intense pressure of his mission? Me neither. Bond shows us that being a man means staying cool under pressure. Life is tough for everyone; get over it. Great men have the inner fortitude to handle themselves with confidence and self-control even when the world around them is crumbling.
Part of dealing well with stressful situations is being prepared for them.
“On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days and other fields will bear the fruits of victory.” – General Douglas MacArthur (US WWII General and war hero)
Bond is able to remain calm because of his past training and experience. Apart from training, playing competitive sports is a wonderful way to learn how to handle stress and prepare for battle, whether it be against the “Man With the Golden Gun” or simply the young hot shot competing for your job.
Any other lessons men can take from James Bond? Drop a line in the comment box and add to the discussion. And just for fun, share your favorite Bond movie and favorite incarnation of Bond with us as well.
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‘Finish what you start’ is the most valuable manly feature to my mind.
James Bond is a sadistic murdering git. We would be better looking at how to NOT be like James Bond.
Indiana Jones, on the other hand…
” Bond, unlike most European men, understands the value of having a firearm and knowing how to use it.”
Bullshit. About 80% of Finnish men are military trained. I’m quite convinced of their ability to use firearms.
It’s true, that the US has 90 guns for every 100 citizens, making it the most heavily armed society in the world. Does they feel safe?
Otherwise a great article. Just get the facts right.
Could not disagree with the gun point more. First off, I live in Europe, and many, many people shoot recreationally. For heaven’s sake, Berreta has a boutique on Jermyn St in London, nestled amongst the bespoke suit and shirt makers. While per capita gun ownership is nowhere near what it is in the US, its still pretty high. I’m guessing you’re American, and just engaging in the oh-so-popular “Europe is feminine” meme that’s sweeping your nation. Hardly gentlemanly.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lists_of_countries_by_gun_ownership
Secondly, I don’t believe for a second that a gun belongs in a house for “self defence”. Sure, keep your gun on display and locked up, with the ammunition somewhere else. But for every successful defence of the home, you’ll probably find twice the stories of some poor kid getting his head shot of, like the poor boy at that gun show last week. You’re better off owning a dog.
The value I perceive in Bond’s character is one: He defends the abstract idea of the Queen. He never met the queen, but he knows that what he does is for a cause higher than man, higher than the government, and while he stays loyal to the queen he gets all the fine ladies lipstick on his cheeks.
Fighting for a cause you don’t fully understand, defending a queen you have never met, by simply doing what not many other men would. Is what I perceive as value in this Ian Fleming’s character
So Bond is/was a Monarchist? Thank you, you just redeemed the mans character in my eyes.
Think Europeans dont know their guns, go to Finland, Sweden, even France. The only problem with this article is this one piece of typical ignorant BS.
I think the author meant “know your gun” to be read in a more broad perspective. If you own a Glock 9mm and that is your weapon – know it well. However if your battles are fought in court – know the Law because that is your weapon; if you are a fine crafts master – know your tools and monocular.
Almost every European has served in the military around age of 19 and know how to shoot, however let’s not forget Bond is a fictional character and we don’t run around with a Beretta in a left shoulder holster for a living. )
Bond is willing to act boldly and he always demonstrates grace under pressure (the Hemingway definition of heroism). These are his strong points and worthy of emulation. The fact that he always gets captured by the bad guy is less worthy of emulation.
Another kind of lesson we can learn from Bond is that the book is always better than the movie. In this case, much better.
To Mr. Andrew White,
Thank you, sir, for educating me about European firearm use. I did not know, and appreciate the information.
However, I must differ with you over using firearms for self-defense. It is entirely appropriate. A few years ago, I was a prosecutor in Pennsylvania, and I saw the statistics (for the U.S., at least) comparing defensive firearms use with firearms accidents. The number of instances where a person successfully defends himself by using, or brandishing, a firearm, far, far outnumber firearms accidents in the home.
Of course, every accident is tragic, and if one is going to have a firearm at home, one has a responsibility to take steps to minimize the possibility such accidents.
Wow – a lot of negative reactions for something I thought was very well done!
I’m a particular fan of lesson 2, as there are so many people with iPhones and Twitter accounts and all manner of things that are good to know your way around, but within reason. People seem to either reject technology or ask it to be their wives. Certainly, a middle ground is a lot more attractive.
As for the bit about the gun, everyone, please, calm down. No one is making you go out and buy a gun or do any target practice. That should be lesson 7: Know what to take seriously, you shrieking little girl.
Reminds me of the tiger repelling rock from the Simpsons (http://www.criticalthinking.org.uk/tigerrepellantrock/). The fact that there are a large numbers of incidents where firearms are used in self-defense only proves that the US has high gun ownership. It doesn’t prove that the gun successfully prevented a crime.
Never mind the fact that you are comparing the number of times a firearm was used in self-defence to the number of firearms *accidents*. What happened to the number of times a firearms used in criminal activity? For example, for all those times that a firearm was used in self defence what were they defending against?
Furthermore, if a burglar knows that the majority of households own a gun he’s far less likely to break in unarmed.
At any rate, owning a gun doesn’t make you a man. It makes you a gun-owner. In other words, it’s a completely irrelevant personal decision.
> It’s true, that the US has 90 guns for every 100 citizens,
> making it the most heavily armed society in the world.
> Does they feel safe?
I dunno. Is our children learning?
@corporal -
Great post and good tips. I am not spending too much time on the idea of any particular firearm. After all, how many times did you see James Bond actually shoot anyone? It seems he is able to make his way and accomplish his objectives very nicely. His enemies often end up self distructing. Maybe the building they are in collapses, or a statue falls on their head. JB comfortable and capable with a pistol, but no means dirty Harry. True to his character no matter who played it. Cheers!
You gotta be kidding! FINALLY, someone besides Paul Kyriazi sees the manliness to the James Bond character. I bought his “How to Live the James Bond Lifestyle” as a novelty, and it turned out to be one of the best self-help books I have ever read. (Don’t look for the paperback, it’s out of print and used copies cost lotsa grotzits.) I haven’t purchased the new, improved audio book, but I’m sure it’s outstanding.
I mentioned James Bond and Paul Kyriazi a few times in my own Weblog, and I think one of those was in a Manival. This article ties in to the Kyriazi book, but I like it on its own merits. Some people may take exception to the gun business, but that can fall into a “be ready to defend your family” category and the principle still applies.
@Stormbringer – PS — His book is at http://www.bondlife.com .
OK, I’ll play….
First, being a gentleman is not inconsistent with being a man of action. Good manners and good taste do not make you a wimp.
Second, train hard. Study hard. Read the Bond books…he’s always training. Shooting practice, unarmed combat, physical training. Studying, too.
Wow…sure love all the ill-informed people spouting off made-up stats and ridiculous guesses about the state of firearms in the US.
Our media is anti-gun. They report the accidents and the whackjobs (those exist in every nation), but never the situations where someone defends their home by shooting an intruder. A gun-carrier myself, most often simply making a problem person aware you’re armed is enough to get them to go find something else to do.
Legal gun owners and carriers are responsible, law-abiding and experienced. Sure, there’s a few bad apples in every barrel, and those are the ones you see and hear about, rather than the millions of responsible gun owners who DO NOT shoot up restaurants or rob old ladies.
If you want to know the truth about the US, for Gawd’s sake don’t pay attention to the news..an increasing number of AMERICANS don’t even watch the American news. It’s crap. Talk to Americans if you’re interested in the US.
You are such a pussy.
I’d like to revise my comment on the gun bit. First, I agree with cioenrico, calm down! For crying out loud, don’t lose sight of the good points of the article just to argue about guns.
Second, the broader point is still valid: Use the tools of your trade, and know them well. If you’re a computer software troubleshooter, know your flash drive and portable apps and how to use them. If you’re a bicycle repairman…oh, you should get the idea.
I hope the new James Bond film is better then the last one Casino Royale
i like turtles
One lesson I learned–Always satisfy the girl, as that makes her want to come back for more.
@David Barnes –
I disagree.
Bond is a double agent….killing comes with the territory.
Indiana Jones is a professor and archeologist….he killed a lot of people unnecessarily.
Obviously you have had little contact with the world of archaeology, or if you have, led a very sheltered existence. To be fair, killing is generally avoided, but I could tell you some stories…
Why not make it a nice 007? Here’s my suggestion for the 7th:
7) Know when to give, and when to take, orders. Bond gets his missions from his boss M, he knows every man has limits and all must work together to make a go of what we call civilization. It is the attitude of being better than everybody else and the need to make everyone obey that drives many Bond villains to world domination. On the other hand, Bond also knows when he needs to take the lead, entrusting crucial tasks to friends and allies like Quarrel, Felix Leiter, Tiger Tanaka and even a few Bond girls, while he goes on ahead to play his part. Oftentimes Bond could not have survived his adventures if his trusted friends did not show up with a well-placed shot or an army of reinforcements at critical moments.
Note to self : Don’t tell anybody I have a gun.
@Rich – Fabulous comment!
@Dan – Are you like me, shooting your mouth off? HA! I made a funny! Seriously, there’s gun hating and there’s gun understanding/respect. Oh, and knowledge of the Constitution. But the election had nothing to do with knowledge of the Constitution, did it?
@ corporal and @ andrew white,
I want to apologize for my stupid jab at European men and firearms. It was meant completely as a joke, mainly targeted at some comments received after a gun cleaning post I did. Brett and I discussed it before publishing the post and both decided that it wasn’t accurate or funny for that matter.
Unfortunately, I left for a trip overseas and completely forgot to take it out in my final edit before sending it in.
I realize that many European men are gun enthusiasts, having talked to many of them personally, as well as skilled fire arms users. I also have great respect for those that have served in the military being that I currently serve myself.
Please take this as a poorly thought out mistake made my be and not as a reflection of the Art of Manliness. Thanks.
- Cameron Schaefer
@corporal –
i forgot finland took up most of europe. dumbass
Lesson No. 7:
Quote from Casino Royale,
Vesper: “You know James, if all that was left of you was your smile and your little finger, you’d still be more of a man than anyone I’ve ever met”
Bond: “That’s because you know what i can do with my little finger”
YES – Those of us with guns DO feel safe! I Can’t speak for the other non gun owners – other than to recommend they too get a weapon and take charge of their own defense.
“But for every successful defence of the home, you’ll probably find twice the stories of some poor kid getting his head shot of,”
On the surface this seems logical – unfortunately it’s another case of feelings being substituted for careful analysis. This kind of thing is not only demonstrably inaccurate, but also antithetical to the art of manliness. You euro guys especially need to do due diligence here.
@ciaoenrico – LOL!!! Thank you so much for putting these gun remarks in proper context. “Shrieking girl!” LOL – cough, hack, sputter, laugh some more.
May I suggest that next time you write an article make it one on men being so touchy in your articles? Hahaha great article, well written. And while I’m here I would just like to thank you for running such a great website. Must be hard keeping this thing updated and keeping up with the drudgery of a normal life as well.
@corporal –
It’s either Switzerland or Israel that has the highest rate of arms in the world. Also they completely outclass the US in proper and full training in those arms.
Okay, let’s stay on target. The title of the article is 6 Lessons in Manliness from James Bond, using the character as an _example_ of the six traits to cultivate. Let’s not get into gun control debates with the Euroweenies, it’s pointless.
Bond is a man’s man. Not because he is a rogue character, but rather embodies the values we claim to uphold.
He uses tools to his advantage, and does not let them distract him, be it a car, phone, computer, weapon, or watch. He does not live to use them, he uses them to live.
The bond character knows how to use his tools effectively, as well as the tools of his adversaries – should the situation require it.
He is well mannered (from Star Trek: “Good manners are never a waste of time.”)
He dresses for the occasion, tips well, and is a man of his word. He does his duty for Queen and Country. He is not reckless in competition and shoes restraint where warranted… at least those are the impressions that I take away from the character.
Die Another Day: My favorite scene is where Pierce Brosnan escapes from being held by MI6 after being traded for another spy and climbs out of the water onto a dock, and walks into the hotel soaking wet, in pajamas and asks for his usual room.
@Andrew White – “But for every successful defence of the home, you’ll probably find twice the stories of some poor kid getting his head shot of, like the poor boy at that gun show last week.”
Andrew, I’d like to respectfully correct you on this. Actually, according to John Lott’s research/book (The Bias Against Guns), in over 95% of criminal altercations, when the victim even brandishes a gun, the crime is thwarted. Also, in every part of America, when gun ownership laws are made LESS restrictive, crime always drops. Moreover, when gun laws are made MORE restrictive, crime rises.
One more correction, children under 10 are more likely to drown in a 5-gallon bucket than be killed by an accidental gunshot. –Also from John Lott’s book. Accidental gun deaths in children are extremely rare, but always reported in the media.
Brett, thank you for your fantastic site and insightful articles. Inspiring.
@corporal – That is 80% Finnish men you reference, not European men. I am pretty certain that Finnish men do not make up most of Europe.
I am reminded of a story about how Delta Force was patterned on the SAS but Col. Beckwith had to have the early shoot house scenarios changed from those he had taken from them. That was because the design of the SAS drills was to get them to shoot whereas the Americans had grown up around weapons and had no need to be encouraged to shoot and were getting bored with the scenarios.
In any event, both SAS and Delta turn out some amazing troopers.
Nice article – I also really liked the propositions for lesson #7.
One more thing: Cameron Schaefer’s apology was very manly. All the quibbling, boobing and name calling was not.
hey, great article, i juz saw solace, awesome, my fav is any bond with connery, i grew up with sean. a couple of the lessons i got from bond are:
1. treat women with respect.
2.don’t kiss and tell
3.always have a back up plan
4.don’t smile too much, keep em guessing
5.loyalty
tons more… thank you for a great newsletter for men, woot, woot!!
I like to think a real man isn’t so judgmental about other people’s texting habits or whatnot. In fact I think a REAL man doesn’t really care what others do. He’s got his own life to live and goes about doing just that.
Maybe that’s the key to real manliness; just get r done.
To “Mine”, if a “real man” doesn’t care what others do, why are you trying so hard to say that you don’t care?
Anyway, wanted to say that I have an article about which Bond is the best…is it Connery? Craig? Another actor whose name does not begin with “C”? Have a look here: http://xrl.in/1696
@corporal – As long as I’m one of those that are armed, yes, I feel safe. Making something illegal just means outlaws are the only ones who will have them, and there the people I’m worried about in the first place.
A man should never fight for something he doesn’t fully understand. Simpletons can be swayed into spurious causes because predators appeal to their passion, not their logic. Know where you stand, what you are fighting for, and what it’s worth.
Well, the man that was elected did teach Constitutional Law for over a decade, but other than that…
@Brandon –
Then why did he nominate Hillary, which the Constitution says he cannot do because the position got a pay raise while she was in office? Yet another misconception, all lawyers don’t know the Constitution, nor do Constitutional Law professors.
I am inclined to question why a critique on Bond did not render the obvious subject of how to treat a woman.
Oh, we chicks LOVE James Bond.
Indeed, stay cool, be manly and finish what you start, and know how to handle your weapon are all wonderfully manly qualities.
It’s interesting, my late husband taught me to shoot, and I strive to do so as a GIRL, think more Dale Evans than Lara Croft. Fringe. Cute Boots. Skirts. LIPSTICK. Those womanly women are MY role models and we LOVE when we have men like James Bond to flirt with.
As an Online Dating Coach, I’m working with both single women and single men, and certainly recommend the Art of Manliness for the men I advise to foster their manliness in the 21st century.
Keep up the great work!
All the best,
April Braswell
Online Dating Coach, Romantic Relationship Coach, Romance Coaching
Online Dating Sites Review, Internet Dating Sites Guide