"I became good at defending myself, but as far as I was concerned, that was a transient skill"

This quote by Jock Sturges speaks with the idea that self-defense is an ability that is just essential in specific circumstances. He suggests that it is not an ability that is essential for daily life, but rather a skill that is only needed in particular minutes. He suggests that while he was able to end up being good at protecting himself, it was not an ability that he felt he required to preserve. This quote speaks to the concept that self-defense is a skill that is only necessary in particular situations which it is not a skill that is required for everyday life. It suggests that while it is necessary to be able to protect oneself, it is not a skill that needs to be preserved in order to live a successful life.