--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you find yourself in a fair fight, you…" description: "\"If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan your mission properly.\" — David Hackworth" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/518/david-hackworth-25449_army_if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you_2859104.jpg" --- # If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan your… ![“If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan your mission properly.” quote by David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/518/david-hackworth-25449_army_if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you_2859104.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/518/david-hackworth-25449_army_if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you_2859104.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/518/david-hackworth-25449_army_if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you_2859104.jpg) > “If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan your mission properly.” [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A fair fight indicates poor planning; success requires strategic foresight. **In simple terms:** Fair fights reveal bad planning. Key Takeaway Plan strategically. Themes leadership strategy military planning risk Mood reflective analytical Type strategic motivational When to use this quote - combat operations - business negotiations - project management Key Concepts risk assessment mission design contingency planning Questions to Reflect On - What does a “fair fight” teach you? - How can planning improve outcomes? A Different Perspective Not all conflicts can be predicted or controlled. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) [Finding yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finding-yourself/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Missions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions/) ## Related quotes > [“If you're in a fair fight, you didn't plan it properly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-lappos/if-you-re-in-a-fair-fight-you-didn-t-plan-it-properly/) Nick Lappos > [“If you find yourself in a fair fight, you obviously didn’t plan right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-crouch/if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you-obviously-didn-t-plan-right/) [Blake Crouch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-crouch/) > [If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-your-tactics-suck/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I played 'Survivor', I sat back many times and marveled that no one had gotten into a real physical altercation. With all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-morasca/when-i-played-survivor-i-sat-back-many-times-and-marveled-that-no-one/) [Jenna Morasca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-morasca/) > [I said I needed to force Jon Jones to fight me and I didn't do that. He didn't fight me, he nullified me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-smith/i-said-i-needed-to-force-jon-jones-to-fight-me-and-i-didn-t-do-that/) [Anthony Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-smith/) > [“He stretched out an arm and watched the myriad emotions that crossed her face as she contemplated the spot beside him. She had slept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-anderson/he-stretched-out-an-arm-and-watched-the-myriad-emotions-that-crossed/) [Catherine Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-anderson/) > [I got cut against Groves, and I couldn't see out of my eye most of the fight but it didn't hurt. 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Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-r-martin/) > [“I’d always said that I didn’t hit girls or challenged kids, and what it came to a fight between the two, I didn’t know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-jade-lange/i-d-always-said-that-i-didn-t-hit-girls-or-challenged-kids-and-what/) [Erin Jade Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-jade-lange/) > [Listen to what I'm saying: I'm back. Junior Dos Santos, Alexander Volkov, or revenge against Stipe Miocic. That fight, I didn't do well, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-ngannou/listen-to-what-i-m-saying-i-m-back-junior-dos-santos-alexander-volkov/) [Francis Ngannou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-ngannou/) ## More by David Hackworth > [War is the ultimate reality-based horror show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/war-is-the-ultimate-reality-based-horror-show/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [Fighting terrorism is not unlike fighting a deadly cancer. 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Nor should the media tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/we-citizens-don-t-need-to-know-every-detail-of-every-military/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [Their plan is to return the entire world - not just the Middle East - to the days of the caliphate and either convert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/their-plan-is-to-return-the-entire-world-not-just-the-middle-east-to/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [So it's not a matter of the military lying to the press, but it's the job of the military to deny the press any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/so-it-s-not-a-matter-of-the-military-lying-to-the-press-but-it-s-the/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [It's human nature to start taking things for granted again when danger isn't banging loudly on the door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/it-s-human-nature-to-start-taking-things-for-granted-again-when/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [Of course, it's imperative that we stabilize Iraq and quickly reduce our armed role there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/of-course-it-s-imperative-that-we-stabilize-iraq-and-quickly-reduce/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [That's because international Islamic religious fanatics have the same goal as the Axis fascists - the destruction of our way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/that-s-because-international-islamic-religious-fanatics-have-the-same/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [The old saying that war is a racket has taken on an even more shameful meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/the-old-saying-that-war-is-a-racket-has-taken-on-an-even-more/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [That's what supporting the troops is really all about - making sure American grunts get the right stuff!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/that-s-what-supporting-the-troops-is-really-all-about-making-sure/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [Only a foolish woman would allow her man to earn his living as a moving target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/only-a-foolish-woman-would-allow-her-man-to-earn-his-living-as-a/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [Terrorism, too, must be excised wherever it exists, which will take years, and which can't happen without the total commitment and the everyday involvement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/terrorism-too-must-be-excised-wherever-it-exists-which-will-take/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [What we need to do is follow the axiom of World War II which was 'Loose Lips Sink Ships' and the media has really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/what-we-need-to-do-is-follow-the-axiom-of-world-war-ii-which-was/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) > [Our generals talk a good game about taking care of their grunts, and the majority of our Beltway politicians bay with moralistic fervor about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/our-generals-talk-a-good-game-about-taking-care-of-their-grunts-and/) [David Hackworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) [Explore all 23 David Hackworth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/) ## More Army quotes > [There are no more worlds to conquer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/there-are-no-more-worlds-to-conquer/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Every army in the history of the world has always had some deserters, usually much greater than we have today, because once again every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hilferty/every-army-in-the-history-of-the-world-has-always-had-some-deserters/) [Bryan Hilferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hilferty/) > [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The surprise of an army is now next to an impossibility. ... Prearranged surprises are rare and difficult because in order to plan one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-henri-jomini/the-surprise-of-an-army-is-now-next-to-an-impossibility-prearranged/) [Antoine-Henri Jomini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-henri-jomini/) > [I just read an article about how young American males feel uncomfortable appearing naked in front of each other in locker rooms. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ivory/i-just-read-an-article-about-how-young-american-males-feel/) [James Ivory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ivory/) > [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [“The most important lesson that came out of Vietnam for me was that Marines take care of Marines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-clancy/the-most-important-lesson-that-came-out-of-vietnam-for-me-was-that/) [Tom Clancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-clancy/) > [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [I have real strong feelings about our troops and support them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-fichtner/i-have-real-strong-feelings-about-our-troops-and-support-them/) [William Fichtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-fichtner/) > [Personally, I don't really have a set style or look. 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Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [Thanks to all members of the military around the world for giving me the ultimate motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalya-neidhart/thanks-to-all-members-of-the-military-around-the-world-for-giving-me/) [Natalya Neidhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalya-neidhart/) [Browse all 3,919 Army quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan your mission properly.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "David Hackworth" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you-didn-t-plan-your-mission/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Army" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you-didn-t-plan-your-mission/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/518/david-hackworth-25449_army_if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you_2859104.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/518/david-hackworth-25449_army_if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you_2859104.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/518/david-hackworth-25449_army_if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you_2859104.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan your mission properly.” — David Hackworth", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "David Hackworth", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hackworth/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you find yourself in a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you-didn-t-plan-your-mission/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hackworth/if-you-find-yourself-in-a-fair-fight-you-didn-t-plan-your-mission/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```