--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The proper course of action, when under…" description: "\"The proper course of action, when under attack, is usually to counterattack.\" — Jeff Cooper" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a56/jeff-cooper-3700_action_the-proper-course-of-action-when-under-a_1239594.jpg" --- # The proper course of action, when under attack, is usually… ![“The proper course of action, when under attack, is usually to counterattack.” quote by Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a56/jeff-cooper-3700_action_the-proper-course-of-action-when-under-a_1239594.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a56/jeff-cooper-3700_action_the-proper-course-of-action-when-under-a_1239594.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a56/jeff-cooper-3700_action_the-proper-course-of-action-when-under-a_1239594.jpg) > “The proper course of action, when under attack, is usually to counterattack.” [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When attacked, the typical response is to strike back, emphasizing proactive defense. **In simple terms:** Counterattack when attacked. Key Takeaway Respond actively to threats. Themes defense strategy conflict Mood strategic cautious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - self‑defense - sports - business competition Key Concepts military tactics psychology risk management Questions to Reflect On - Is aggression always the best response? - When might retreat be wiser? A Different Perspective Counterattack can escalate conflict; sometimes de‑escalation is better. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Self defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-defense/) ## Related quotes > [The best personal defense is an explosive counterattack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-best-personal-defense-is-an-explosive-counterattack/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [The perfect fight is one that is over before the loser really understands what is going on. The perfect defense is a counterattack that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-perfect-fight-is-one-that-is-over-before-the-loser-really/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [Republican attacks are without basis, but when the Democrats attack me they're usually right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-brown/republican-attacks-are-without-basis-but-when-the-democrats-attack-me/) [Jerry Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-brown/) > [A tactical retreat is not a bad response to a surprise assault, you know. First you survive. Then you choose your own ground. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-mcmaster-bujold/a-tactical-retreat-is-not-a-bad-response-to-a-surprise-assault-you/) [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-mcmaster-bujold/) > [Donald Trump has a compulsion to counterattack and is very pugnacious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/donald-trump-has-a-compulsion-to-counterattack-and-is-very-pugnacious/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [The success of an assailant's attack depends on surprise, and if you're sufficiently alert to prevent a surprise, your counterattack is already halfway to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/the-success-of-an-assailant-s-attack-depends-on-surprise-and-if-you/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [If I'm insulted I will counterattack, or if something is unfair, I will counterattack, but I don't feel like I insult people. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/if-i-m-insulted-i-will-counterattack-or-if-something-is-unfair-i-will/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [If you catch somebody doing something wrong, he will just cringe away and curl up. He will not listen anymore. Instead, he will think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goodall/if-you-catch-somebody-doing-something-wrong-he-will-just-cringe-away/) [Jane Goodall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goodall/) > [Admit nothing, deny everything, launch counterattack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-stone/admit-nothing-deny-everything-launch-counterattack/) [Roger Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-stone/) > [If a felon attacks you and lives, he will reasonably conclude that he can do it again. By submitting to him, you not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/if-a-felon-attacks-you-and-lives-he-will-reasonably-conclude-that-he/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [It is true that a victim who fights back may suffer for it, but one who does not almost certainly will suffer for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/it-is-true-that-a-victim-who-fights-back-may-suffer-for-it-but-one/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [Any man who is a man may not, in honor, submit to threats or violence. But many men who are not cowards are simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/any-man-who-is-a-man-may-not-in-honor-submit-to-threats-or-violence/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. The felon does not fear the police,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/if-violent-crime-is-to-be-curbed-it-is-only-the-intended-victim-who/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [Therefore, if you are attacked, retaliate instantly. Be sudden. Be quick. Speed is your salvation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/therefore-if-you-are-attacked-retaliate-instantly-be-sudden-be-quick/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [Don't try to be fancy. Shoot for the center of mass. The world is full of decent people. Criminals we can do without.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/don-t-try-to-be-fancy-shoot-for-the-center-of-mass-the-world-is-full/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) ## More by Jeff Cooper > [The proliferation of right-to-carry laws throughout the states has drawn plaintive complaints from the criminal element. 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Speed is your salvation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/therefore-if-you-are-attacked-retaliate-instantly-be-sudden-be-quick/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [Political correctness is neither political nor is it correct. It amounts to social censorship, and the sooner we spit it out, the better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/political-correctness-is-neither-political-nor-is-it-correct-it/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [The rifle itself has no moral stature, since it has no will of its own. Naturally, it may be used by evil men for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-cooper/the-rifle-itself-has-no-moral-stature-since-it-has-no-will-of-its-own/) [Jeff Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-cooper/) > [If violent crime is to be curbed, it is only the intended victim who can do it. 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