How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"You are a persistent young man, aren't you?"
"Yes, I am. I didn't get where I am today without persistence." (P.122-123)
One stand-out characteristic of Dan is his persistence. Socrates later refers to it by saying Dan has the will to find the gate to unreasonable happiness (4.78). Throughout the whole novel, Dan demonstrates strong perseverance with his training in gymnastics, recovery from his injury, and study under Socrates.
Quote #2
"To survive the lessons ahead," he continued, "you're going to need far more energy than ever before. You'll have to cleanse your body of tension, free your mind of stagnant beliefs, and open your heart to loving-kindness." (P.192)
Nobody said being a peaceful warrior was easy. Certainly not Socrates. You have to do all this health stuff, for example, and as we all know, that alone takes serious perseverance. This passage is also notable in that the brief mention of loving-kindness is one of the very few instances of Socrates talking about how a person should treat other people.
Quote #3
"For you, Dan, a conscious process of transformation has begun. There's no going back. To try and do so would end in .. well, no sense talking about that. I need to know you're committed. [...] You will be tested severely before it's done. You'll need great inner strength. I only hope it comes in time." (3.184-188)
This is one of the suspenseful bits in the book. We want to find out what the test will be. It's his leg injury, of course. And oh yeah, there's the part about how if Dan quits his transformation, something bad will happen to him. That's suspenseful, too. Through it all, of course, Dan perseveres.
Quote #4
"A warrior doesn't seek pain, but if pain comes, he uses it." (4.35)
This line is advice from Joy to Dan after his leg is shattered in his motorcycling accident. Peaceful warriors are to make the best of any circumstance. He heeds her advice, probably in no small part thanks to the fact it is coming from her (and he has a huge crush on her).
Quote #5
I created a daily routine until classes started: Each morning, gripping my crutches, I'd make my way to the gym, train on the weight machines, and fall exhausted into the swimming pool, where, assisted by the water's buoyancy, I'd force my leg to the point of pain, trying to walk—always, always to the point of pain. (4.49)
This is pretty much the standard plot dealy-o out of sports movies, where the hero trains persistently toward a comeback. What sets Way of the Peaceful Warrior apart is that Dan ultimately retires from gymnastics without caring too much about it one way or another. In other words, he does all this super-duper training, wins the championship, and then… quits. That's because he's following Socrates' teachings about giving up goals in order to become happy.
Quote #6
"Neither resolutions nor understanding will ever make you strong. Resolutions have sincerity, logic has clarity; but neither has the energy you will need. Let anger strengthen your resolve. See you next month." (4.237)
Though Socrates-style warriors are peaceful, they may still have intense feelings. In this case, the teacher is telling Dan anger can be used for good. It can strengthen his resolve or commitment to persevere. So maybe next New Year's, don't make resolutions—get mad!
Quote #7
I knew that if I forgot the disciplines again, it would be the end. With new determination, I promised myself, no seductive woman, donut, or piece of roasted cow flesh is going to benumb my will again. I'll master my impulses or die. (4.238)
Plenty of us know how difficult it is to stick to a diet. Dan has a pretty severe diet to follow, too (4.193). But he's persistent enough to make it happen. Over here, we are still stuffing donuts into our Shmoop-y mouths… when burgers are referred to as "roasted cow flesh" they kinda lose their appeal. How about you?
Quote #8
Too late I remembered that the purpose of his insults had always been to show me my own pride and resistance, and had taught me to persevere. (4.268)
Socrates' unique style of teaching is one of the most memorable aspects of the book. He constantly needles Dan, getting under his skin and otherwise making him uncomfortable—even with outright insults. Here Dan points out just how that teaching helped him. He was basically convinced he knew all the answers before he met Socrates, so the old man had to take him down several pegs and continue doing so.
Quote #9
"But this wasn't a test of your body; it was a test of your spirit—a test to see if you could push on—not just with the hill, but with your training. If you had stopped, it would have been the end. But you passed, Danny, you passed with flying colors." (5.78)
Dan's races with Joy serve as nice, concrete ways for the story to show how the guy perseveres in the face of difficulty. He run-run-run-run-run-runs and doesn't give up. Go peaceful warrior, go!
Quote #10
I was to visit many places around the world—Hawaii, Japan, Hong Kong, India, and elsewhere, where I encountered extraordinary teachers, and schools of yoga, martial arts, and shamanism. I had many experiences and found great wisdom, but no lasting peace. (7.112-113)
Even when he's despairing post-Socrates, Dan exemplifies perseverance, going all over the world looking for enlightenment. Of course, it is only when he gives up the search that he finds it.