Men have a psychological need to show off their courage and

“Men have a psychological need to show off their courage and strength. When he sees you talking to another guy, that instinct kicks in and he jumps to protect you and prove he's worthy of your love.” — thus spoke Helen Fisher, the scholar of love and human nature, who peers not only into the heart but into the ancient brain that governs it. Her words unveil the deep roots of instinct, courage, and desire, showing that the emotions which stir men and women today are not born of modern life alone, but of evolution’s long design. For beneath the polish of civilization lies the pulse of the ancient hunter, the protector, the warrior — a force that still shapes the rhythm of love and longing.

The origin of Fisher’s insight lies in her lifelong study of human behavior and biology. As an anthropologist, she has spent decades exploring the science of attraction, tracing the rituals of love back to their beginnings in the dawn of humankind. To her, romance is not merely poetry or sentiment — it is an echo of survival. The male’s need to display strength and courage, she explains, once served a sacred purpose: to protect, to provide, to secure the future of his family and tribe. Though centuries have passed, this instinct still whispers in the heart of man. When he sees another approach the one he loves, it awakens the same primal need — to prove that he is worthy, that he can guard and cherish what he holds dear.

The ancients understood this pattern well. In the myths of Greece and the legends of every civilization, we find the same theme: men proving their worth through acts of valor. Consider Hercules, who performed twelve labors — not for riches, but to atone, to prove his strength and earn redemption in the eyes of gods and mortals. Or Paris and Menelaus, who battled over Helen of Troy, their pride and passion ignited by the ancient fire of possession and worth. These stories, though wrapped in grandeur, reveal the same truth that Helen Fisher describes — that love awakens the warrior within, calling forth both courage and vulnerability.

Yet, this instinct is not merely about battle or pride. At its deepest level, it is about connection — the yearning to be seen, valued, and trusted. A man who strives to show his strength is not always seeking dominance; he may be seeking recognition. To be chosen, to be loved, is to feel affirmed in his existence. When he protects, he does not merely guard another — he guards the meaning of his own life. And in this, Helen Fisher touches on something profoundly human: that love and biology are intertwined, that emotion and evolution dance together in the eternal story of man and woman.

But this instinct, though noble in origin, must be tempered by wisdom. The modern world no longer calls for the sword or the shield; it calls for emotional strength — for respect, not possession; for devotion, not control. The courage that once defended against beasts and rivals must now defend against pride, jealousy, and fear. The man of today must learn that his worth is not proven by competition, but by character — by his ability to love without domination, to protect without imprisoning, to be strong without silencing the freedom of the one he cherishes.

Consider the story of King Leonidas of Sparta, who led his three hundred warriors against impossible odds. His courage was not for conquest, but for protection — for his home, his people, his ideals. This is the essence of true strength: not the drive to own or control, but the willingness to sacrifice for love and duty. Likewise, in the realm of relationships, the highest form of courage is not to fight rivals, but to fight one’s own insecurities — to let love be free, to trust even when fear stirs within.

Thus, Helen Fisher’s words are both revelation and warning. She reminds us that the instincts of men are ancient, but the heart must evolve beyond them. The need to prove worth is eternal, yet the form it takes must change. In the modern age, courage is shown not in displays of power, but in the quiet strength of fidelity, empathy, and understanding. To love wisely is to honor the primal within us while guiding it with the light of consciousness.

And so, remember this truth, my children: love awakens both the animal and the angel within man. To be worthy of love is not to compete, but to rise — to show courage not only in defense, but in compassion; not in pride, but in patience. Let men and women alike learn from this wisdom: that true strength is not the desire to possess, but the power to protect without fear, to love without chains. For in mastering that balance, the warrior becomes the sage, and love becomes not a contest of worth, but a union of souls.