What does it mean to be a MAN?

If somebody has a long beard, washes his hands with diesel, has a huge dick and huge muscles, oppresses his wife and dominates everybody in his life, does not go to therapy, does not believe in mental health, and does or says whatever he wants to whoever, however, whenever, wherever he wants, and is a lumberjack or a construction worker — is that a real man?

Or is it somebody who has no beard, no muscle, a small dick, respects his wife and everybody in his life, goes to therapy, believes in mental health, cares about people's feelings, and works a 9 to 5? Is that what a real man looks like?

Let's complicate things even more. One of them is rich and the other is poor. One of them has been through a lot of hardships in life but is a really shitty person. One has grown up soft but is a really nice person. Who's the real man?

There are a lot of qualities a person can have. Some of those qualities are considered manly — like being rich or being real. If a male has even one of those qualities and it is really evident in his behaviour, he can come off as being a "real man." All that really matters is what you want out of somebody — or yourself.

Let's take a lioness for example. She wants a male who can defend her food and territory from other males. If a male is able to do that, he basically gets free food and mating for the rest of his life.

Whereas a bird wants a male who can build her a nest and bring her food for months — and then she moves on. A semi-competent male who is a good defender is what works for a lioness. A very competent male who can provide is what works for a bird.

This ties perfectly into the 48th law of power:

ASSUME FORMLESSNESS

By taking a shape, by having a visible plan, you open yourself to attack.
Instead of taking a form for your enemy to grasp, keep yourself adaptable and on the move.
Accept the fact that nothing is certain and no law is fixed.
The best way to protect yourself is to be as fluid and formless as water; never bet on stability or lasting order. Everything changes.