--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is better to scare off a mouse than…" description: "\"“It is better to scare off a mouse than welcome a badger”\" — Erin Hunter" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/959/erin-hunter-787_badger_it-is-better-to-scare-off-a-mouse-than-w_2092928.png" --- # It is better to scare off a mouse than welcome a badger ![“It is better to scare off a mouse than welcome a badger” quote by Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/959/erin-hunter-787_badger_it-is-better-to-scare-off-a-mouse-than-w_2092928.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/959/erin-hunter-787_badger_it-is-better-to-scare-off-a-mouse-than-w_2092928.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/959/erin-hunter-787_badger_it-is-better-to-scare-off-a-mouse-than-w_2092928.png) > ““It is better to scare off a mouse than welcome a badger”” [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It warns that confronting a small problem is easier than dealing with a larger, more dangerous one. **In simple terms:** Better to scare a mouse than welcome a badger. Key Takeaway Address small issues before they become bigger threats. Themes risk management proactive caution Mood cautious pragmatic Type advisory proverbial When to use this quote - personal safety - business strategy - environmental hazards - health precautions Key Concepts threat assessment preventive action Questions to Reflect On - When is it better to face a bigger problem directly? - How can we balance caution with bravery? A Different Perspective It may discourage confronting necessary larger challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Badger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/badger/) [Better Scare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-scare-1345866/) [Cats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cats/) [Scare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scare/) [Scare Mouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scare-mouse-4145594/) [Welcome Badger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welcome-badger-4145595/) ## Related quotes > [“One reason the concept of becoming better can scare us is that it requires us to step out of a place that we recognize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-milne-rowe/one-reason-the-concept-of-becoming-better-can-scare-us-is-that-it/) [Sara Milne Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-milne-rowe/) > [“A breeze stirred Dovewing's pelt, as is someone had walked past. She lifted her head an saw two figures standing just beyond her Clanmates.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/a-breeze-stirred-dovewing-s-pelt-as-is-someone-had-walked-past-she/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“Why was Sandynose such an old badger”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/why-was-sandynose-such-an-old-badger/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [Well, I'm more lopsided than a one-legged badger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/well-i-m-more-lopsided-than-a-one-legged-badger/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“Well, I’m more lopsided than a one-legged badger,” mewed Graypaw, breaking off from his careful stalking to stagger comically across the clearing. “I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/well-i-m-more-lopsided-than-a-one-legged-badger-mewed-graypaw/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“You fed it.' The badger sighed. 'Sometimes I think you'll feed anything .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/you-fed-it-the-badger-sighed-sometimes-i-think-you-ll-feed-anything/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [“Badger'll turn up some day or other—he's always turning up—and then I'll introduce you. The best of fellows! But you must not only take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-grahame/badger-ll-turn-up-some-day-or-other-he-s-always-turning-up-and-then-i/) [Kenneth Grahame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-grahame/) > [“Rough as a badger's arse”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-keyes/rough-as-a-badger-s-arse/) [Marian Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-keyes/) > [“I am writing a treatise just now" said the badger, coughing diffidently to show that he was absolutely set on explaining it, "which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-h-white/i-am-writing-a-treatise-just-now-said-the-badger-coughing-diffidently/) [T.H. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-h-white/) > [“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/) > [I know plenty of people who live in the country who have never seen a badger. They are definitely there, but these nocturnal delights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backshall/i-know-plenty-of-people-who-live-in-the-country-who-have-never-seen-a/) [Steve Backshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backshall/) > [I don't have anything against the 'Honey Badger.' It's just that 'Honey Badger' happened at such a dark time in my life. If the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyrann-mathieu/i-don-t-have-anything-against-the-honey-badger-it-s-just-that-honey/) [Tyrann Mathieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyrann-mathieu/) > [“It was, perhaps, no situation from which to face a charging badger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-golding/it-was-perhaps-no-situation-from-which-to-face-a-charging-badger/) [William Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-golding/) > [“Disasterology The Badger is the thirteenth astrological sign. My sign. The one the other signs evicted: unanimously. So what? ! Think I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/disasterology-the-badger-is-the-thirteenth-astrological-sign-my-sign/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [I couldn't be more chuffed if I were a badger at the start of the mating season!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holloway/i-couldn-t-be-more-chuffed-if-i-were-a-badger-at-the-start-of-the/) [Ian Holloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holloway/) ## More by Erin Hunter > [“If no cat has more to say, we should end this Gathering,” Firestar meowed. “Fine by me,” Blackstar replied. Onestar and Leopardstar nodded.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/if-no-cat-has-more-to-say-we-should-end-this-gathering-firestar/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [I have to stay here and bury her," he whispered. "Here, between RiverClan and ThunderClan. After this, not even her own Clan will want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/i-have-to-stay-here-and-bury-her-he-whispered-here-between-riverclan/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [This is a path that you follow alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/this-is-a-path-that-you-follow-alone/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“if a fox attacks her? She’s only learned basic battle moves. She may have been gone all night. I should have kept a closer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/if-a-fox-attacks-her-she-s-only-learned-basic-battle-moves-she-may/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“We cannot change our destiny, we just have to have the courage to know what it is, and accept it." - Cinderpelt”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/we-cannot-change-our-destiny-we-just-have-to-have-the-courage-to-know/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“We should have learned by now not to be surprised by kittypets." Graystripe”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/we-should-have-learned-by-now-not-to-be-surprised-by-kittypets/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“Ivypool backed away. She twisted and ducked under him as he leaped, but his claws sank into her tail and pinned her to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/ivypool-backed-away-she-twisted-and-ducked-under-him-as-he-leaped-but/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [Darkness, air, water, and sky will come together... and shake the forest to its roots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/darkness-air-water-and-sky-will-come-together-and-shake-the-forest-to/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“Fire alone can save our clan”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/fire-alone-can-save-our-clan/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [This is not my Clan. Not any longer. ThunderClan is led by a kittypet, and there's nothing left to fight for. I feel no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/this-is-not-my-clan-not-any-longer-thunderclan-is-led-by-a-kittypet/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [Redtail was a brave warrior. His loyalty to ThunderClan could never be doubted. I always relied on his judgment, for it bore witness to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/redtail-was-a-brave-warrior-his-loyalty-to-thunderclan-could-never-be/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [Now Darkstripe,' Graypaw hissed to Firepaw under his breath, 'is neither young, nor pretty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/now-darkstripe-graypaw-hissed-to-firepaw-under-his-breath-is-neither/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“You cannot live with a paw in both worlds”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/you-cannot-live-with-a-paw-in-both-worlds/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [I've got my warrior name, too!" Crookedjaw?" How did you guess?" A purr rumbled in his throat. Beacuse your tail's still straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/i-ve-got-my-warrior-name-too-crookedjaw-how-did-you-guess-a-purr/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“Calm your waters,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/calm-your-waters/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) [Explore all 346 Erin Hunter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) ## More Badger quotes > [I couldn't be more chuffed if I were a badger at the start of the mating season!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-holloway/i-couldn-t-be-more-chuffed-if-i-were-a-badger-at-the-start-of-the/) [Ian Holloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-holloway/) > [“Why was Sandynose such an old badger”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/why-was-sandynose-such-an-old-badger/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“Disasterology The Badger is the thirteenth astrological sign. My sign. The one the other signs evicted: unanimously. So what? ! Think I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-mcdaniel/disasterology-the-badger-is-the-thirteenth-astrological-sign-my-sign/) [Jeffrey McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-mcdaniel/) > [Well, I'm more lopsided than a one-legged badger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/well-i-m-more-lopsided-than-a-one-legged-badger/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [“It was, perhaps, no situation from which to face a charging badger.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-golding/it-was-perhaps-no-situation-from-which-to-face-a-charging-badger/) [William Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-golding/) > [I don't have anything against the 'Honey Badger.' It's just that 'Honey Badger' happened at such a dark time in my life. If the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyrann-mathieu/i-don-t-have-anything-against-the-honey-badger-it-s-just-that-honey/) [Tyrann Mathieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyrann-mathieu/) > [“Well, I’m more lopsided than a one-legged badger,” mewed Graypaw, breaking off from his careful stalking to stagger comically across the clearing. “I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/well-i-m-more-lopsided-than-a-one-legged-badger-mewed-graypaw/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [I know plenty of people who live in the country who have never seen a badger. They are definitely there, but these nocturnal delights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backshall/i-know-plenty-of-people-who-live-in-the-country-who-have-never-seen-a/) [Steve Backshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backshall/) > [“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/) > [“I am writing a treatise just now" said the badger, coughing diffidently to show that he was absolutely set on explaining it, "which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-h-white/i-am-writing-a-treatise-just-now-said-the-badger-coughing-diffidently/) [T.H. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-h-white/) > [“Rough as a badger's arse”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-keyes/rough-as-a-badger-s-arse/) [Marian Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-keyes/) > [“Badger'll turn up some day or other—he's always turning up—and then I'll introduce you. The best of fellows! But you must not only take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-grahame/badger-ll-turn-up-some-day-or-other-he-s-always-turning-up-and-then-i/) [Kenneth Grahame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-grahame/) > [“You fed it.' The badger sighed. 'Sometimes I think you'll feed anything .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/you-fed-it-the-badger-sighed-sometimes-i-think-you-ll-feed-anything/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [During the last century a seven-year-old boy, Harry Service, was lost from his family's home in Manitoba and lived for two weeks with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-carrighar/during-the-last-century-a-seven-year-old-boy-harry-service-was-lost/) [Sally Carrighar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-carrighar/) > [“There are no bears on the island.” “Really, are you sure because I was hiking with my Dad and I’m sure I saw one?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-brogan/there-are-no-bears-on-the-island-really-are-you-sure-because-i-was/) [Tracy Brogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-brogan/) [Browse all 30 Badger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/badger/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is better to scare off a mouse than welcome a badger”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Erin Hunter" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/it-is-better-to-scare-off-a-mouse-than-welcome-a-badger/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Badger" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/it-is-better-to-scare-off-a-mouse-than-welcome-a-badger/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/959/erin-hunter-787_badger_it-is-better-to-scare-off-a-mouse-than-w_2092928.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/959/erin-hunter-787_badger_it-is-better-to-scare-off-a-mouse-than-w_2092928.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/959/erin-hunter-787_badger_it-is-better-to-scare-off-a-mouse-than-w_2092928.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is better to scare off a mouse than welcome a badger” — Erin Hunter", "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": "Erin Hunter", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It is better to scare off...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/it-is-better-to-scare-off-a-mouse-than-welcome-a-badger/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/it-is-better-to-scare-off-a-mouse-than-welcome-a-badger/#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 } } ] } ```