--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you go, 'Listen, I didn't know. I…" description: "\"When you go, 'Listen, I didn't know. I didn't know the rules.' That works. That's a good, solid defense. One time.\" — Chael Sonnen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/558/chael-sonnen-3003_go_when-you-go-listen-i-didn-t-know-i-didn_1203844.jpg" --- # When you go, 'Listen, I didn't know. I didn't know the… ![“When you go, 'Listen, I didn't know. I didn't know the rules.' That works. That's a good, solid defense. One time.” quote by Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/558/chael-sonnen-3003_go_when-you-go-listen-i-didn-t-know-i-didn_1203844.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/558/chael-sonnen-3003_go_when-you-go-listen-i-didn-t-know-i-didn_1203844.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/558/chael-sonnen-3003_go_when-you-go-listen-i-didn-t-know-i-didn_1203844.jpg) > “When you go, 'Listen, I didn't know. I didn't know the rules.' That works. That's a good, solid defense. One time.” [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker uses ignorance of rules as a defensive tactic, implying that lack of knowledge can excuse behavior. **In simple terms:** Claiming ignorance to avoid responsibility. Key Takeaway Avoid using ignorance as a shield. Themes ethics responsibility communication Mood critical analytical Type ethical controversial When to use this quote - legal defense - personal interactions - conflict resolution - null Key Concepts defensive strategy accountability Questions to Reflect On - When is claiming ignorance justified? - How does this affect trust? A Different Perspective This tactic can be seen as evasive and undermines accountability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Rules](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rules/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [The one thing I know is a strong, solid defense puts you in position to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-carlisle/the-one-thing-i-know-is-a-strong-solid-defense-puts-you-in-position/) [Rick Carlisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-carlisle/) > [I did try to come back and listen You never it..I didn't wish it But I did hear every answer ever question It's all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-nicks/i-did-try-to-come-back-and-listen-you-never-it-i-didn-t-wish-it-but-i/) [Stevie Nicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-nicks/) > [Very few people would listen if they didn't know it was their turn next](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conklin/very-few-people-would-listen-if-they-didn-t-know-it-was-their-turn/) [Robert Conklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conklin/) > [“Ask you to keep an eye on her, keep her safe, and you allow my child to be used in that!" "Flatten your fur,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/ask-you-to-keep-an-eye-on-her-keep-her-safe-and-you-allow-my-child-to/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [In '82 Brazil showed that you can't win the World Cup without a solid defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-hansen/in-82-brazil-showed-that-you-can-t-win-the-world-cup-without-a-solid/) [Alan Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-hansen/) > [They scored 26 points in three quarters. That's solid defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-laimbeer/they-scored-26-points-in-three-quarters-that-s-solid-defense/) [Bill Laimbeer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-laimbeer/) > [There is no Benitez 'method.' We try to be more solid in defense without losing the quality in attack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-benitez/there-is-no-benitez-method-we-try-to-be-more-solid-in-defense-without/) [Rafael Benitez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-benitez/) > [If I was mentoring a young fighter, I'd tell him to spend more time on boxing. That doesn't mean I would ignore kickboxing -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/if-i-was-mentoring-a-young-fighter-i-d-tell-him-to-spend-more-time-on/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [I know the rules and have a clear conscience. I'm an atheist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rock-cowles/i-know-the-rules-and-have-a-clear-conscience-i-m-an-atheist/) [Rock Cowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rock-cowles/) > [I find that I'm at my least creative point when I am doing something that I've done in repetition and I know all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-scher/i-find-that-i-m-at-my-least-creative-point-when-i-am-doing-something/) [Paula Scher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-scher/) > [You've got to be quick on your feet in this world if you want to survive. Though once you know the rules, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryce-courtenay/you-ve-got-to-be-quick-on-your-feet-in-this-world-if-you-want-to/) [Bryce Courtenay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryce-courtenay/) > [When you don't know the rules, you break them all. It's hard to take big risks when you know the history of an industry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-mycoskie/when-you-don-t-know-the-rules-you-break-them-all-it-s-hard-to-take/) [Blake Mycoskie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-mycoskie/) > [You have to know the Rules of the Game, Then you have to Play better than anyone else!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/you-have-to-know-the-rules-of-the-game-then-you-have-to-play-better/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [Creativity means learning where the rules exist, and then breaking them! Saying, "It's better this way." But you have to know the rules in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/creativity-means-learning-where-the-rules-exist-and-then-breaking/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [“one must first know the rules to break them,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-b-agus/one-must-first-know-the-rules-to-break-them/) [David B. Agus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-b-agus/) ## More by Chael Sonnen > [I don't walk around looking into cameras and telling people I'm the best fighter in the world just to hear myself talk. I say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-don-t-walk-around-looking-into-cameras-and-telling-people-i-m-the/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [My phone rings, they call me up and say, 'Chael, your testosterone level is too high.' I say, 'Well, how high was it?' They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/my-phone-rings-they-call-me-up-and-say-chael-your-testosterone-level/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [I'm a God-fearing man, go to church every Sunday, and have since I was a boy. But if I ever found out that God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-m-a-god-fearing-man-go-to-church-every-sunday-and-have-since-i-was/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [Because of both hipster culture and Facebook culture, the human race is starting to resemble a school of hairy piranhas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/because-of-both-hipster-culture-and-facebook-culture-the-human-race/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [I didn't get to go to school functions growing up. I didn't get to go to dances. I was never invited to a party…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-didn-t-get-to-go-to-school-functions-growing-up-i-didn-t-get-to-go/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [I go to practice every day. I really don't have a training camp. In the boxing world, and that's where that came from, almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-go-to-practice-every-day-i-really-don-t-have-a-training-camp-in-the/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [I had dreams in 2000 of being an Olympian for boxing. I never talk about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-had-dreams-in-2000-of-being-an-olympian-for-boxing-i-never-talk/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [Every time you have a huge fight in wrestling, in boxing, in MMA, both guys are sure they're going to win. They really believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/every-time-you-have-a-huge-fight-in-wrestling-in-boxing-in-mma-both/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [There's a camaraderie that comes with this sport, but fighting Anderson Silva is a lot like eating Chinese food: twenty minutes after I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/there-s-a-camaraderie-that-comes-with-this-sport-but-fighting/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [I was in Las Vegas when the Nogueira brothers first touched down in America. There was a bus, this is a true story. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-was-in-las-vegas-when-the-nogueira-brothers-first-touched-down-in/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [One element of wrestling that I know what I grew up with we put a lot of emphasis towards was the takedown. But, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/one-element-of-wrestling-that-i-know-what-i-grew-up-with-we-put-a-lot/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [I go to practice each and every day, but my intensity is not the same. If I get tired, I'll go sit down. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-go-to-practice-each-and-every-day-but-my-intensity-is-not-the-same/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [If I was mentoring a young fighter, I'd tell him to spend more time on boxing. That doesn't mean I would ignore kickboxing -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/if-i-was-mentoring-a-young-fighter-i-d-tell-him-to-spend-more-time-on/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [Somebody is going to win & somebody is not, and that's fine... But we will never refuse to participate because we're scared to fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/somebody-is-going-to-win-somebody-is-not-and-that-s-fine-but-we-will/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [I want to make the UFC money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-want-to-make-the-ufc-money/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) [Explore all 142 Chael Sonnen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) ## More Defense quotes > [Advances in technology will continue to reach far into every sector of our economy. Future job and economic growth in industry, defense, transportation, agriculture,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-bond/advances-in-technology-will-continue-to-reach-far-into-every-sector/) [Christopher Bond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-bond/) > [On the McLaughlin Report, August 26, 1990: 'There are only two groups that are beating the drums for war in the middle East, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/on-the-mclaughlin-report-august-26-1990-there-are-only-two-groups/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [My last defense / Is the present tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwendolyn-brooks/my-last-defense-is-the-present-tense/) [Gwendolyn Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwendolyn-brooks/) > [Football is not just all about throwing the ball. You got to run the ball, too. Defense has to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-jefferson/football-is-not-just-all-about-throwing-the-ball-you-got-to-run-the/) [Justin Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-jefferson/) > [The law is the collective organization of the individual's right to lawful defense of his life, liberty and property. When it is used for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-law-is-the-collective-organization-of-the-individual-s-right-to/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [Witness for the defense, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/witness-for-the-defense-albus-percival-wulfric-brian-dumbledore/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You say I have a bad attitude. But have you ever stopped to check yours?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasha-marie/you-say-i-have-a-bad-attitude-but-have-you-ever-stopped-to-check-yours/) Tasha Marie > [ Their \[the U.S.’s\] defense budget in absolute figures is almost 25 times bigger than Russia’s. This is what in defense is referred to as… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/their-the-u-s-s-defense-budget-in-absolute-figures-is-almost-25-times/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [He should release the tax returns tomorrow. It's crazy. You've got to release six, eight, ten years back tax returns. Take the hit for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kristol/he-should-release-the-tax-returns-tomorrow-it-s-crazy-you-ve-got-to/) [William Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kristol/) > [Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/defense-is-a-definite-part-of-the-game-and-a-great-part-of-defense-is/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [When you shoot someone who is fleeing, it's not self-defense. It's an execution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-shoot-someone-who-is-fleeing-it-s-not-self-defense-it-s-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Virtually every major technological advance in the history of the human species- back to the invention of stone tools and the domestication of fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/virtually-every-major-technological-advance-in-the-history-of-the/) [Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/) Browse all 2,426 Defense quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you go, 'Listen, I didn't know. I didn't know the rules.' That works. That's a good, solid defense. 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