--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Never get into a wrestling match with a…" description: "\"Never get into a wrestling match with a pig. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.\" — John McCain" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc0/john-mccain-465_animal_never-get-into-a-wrestling-match-with-a_102166.png" --- # Never get into a wrestling match with a pig. You both get… ![“Never get into a wrestling match with a pig. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.” quote by John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc0/john-mccain-465_animal_never-get-into-a-wrestling-match-with-a_102166.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc0/john-mccain-465_animal_never-get-into-a-wrestling-match-with-a_102166.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc0/john-mccain-465_animal_never-get-into-a-wrestling-match-with-a_102166.png) > “Never get into a wrestling match with a pig. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.” [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A warning that engaging with a hostile, unrefined opponent leads to mutual messiness, and the opponent may enjoy the chaos. **In simple terms:** Fighting a pig makes both dirty; the pig likes it. Key Takeaway Choosing battles wisely avoids unnecessary fallout. Themes conflict strategy humor Mood cautionary wry Type advice humorous When to use this quote - political negotiations - personal disputes - business rivalries Key Concepts analogy risk assessment Practical Applications - evaluate opponent motives before engagement Questions to Reflect On - When is it better to walk away? - What signs indicate a 'pig' in a conflict? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Dirty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dirty/) [Dirty Pig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dirty-pig-338316/) [Likes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/likes/) [Match Pig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/match-pig-1236279/) [Pig Dirty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pig-dirty-1236278/) [Pig Likes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pig-likes-896357/) [Pigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pigs/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/i-learned-long-ago-never-to-wrestle-with-a-pig-you-get-dirty-and/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [“One of the things I learned firsthand as a child, growing up in Zacatecas, Mexico was... that when you fight with a pig, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-n-harris/one-of-the-things-i-learned-firsthand-as-a-child-growing-up-in/) [José N. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-n-harris/) > [“Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/never-wrestle-with-pigs-you-both-get-dirty-and-the-pig-likes-it/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [Administrators are like pigs; don't wrestle with a pig because you both get dirty and the pig likes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-meyer/administrators-are-like-pigs-don-t-wrestle-with-a-pig-because-you/) [Don Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-meyer/) > [When you get in the mud with a pig, you get dirty and the pig gets happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/when-you-get-in-the-mud-with-a-pig-you-get-dirty-and-the-pig-gets/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [Never Fight With A Pig. You Will Get Dirty, And The Pig Will Love It.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/never-fight-with-a-pig-you-will-get-dirty-and-the-pig-will-love-it/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) > [I remembered something my first partner had told me. Never wrestle with a pig, Lindsay. You both get dirty. The pig likes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/i-remembered-something-my-first-partner-had-told-me-never-wrestle/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) > [Don't wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/don-t-wrestle-with-pigs-you-both-get-dirty-and-the-pig-likes-it/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I like the expression, Dont fight with a pig. Youll just get dirty and the pig likes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumar-anupam/i-like-the-expression-dont-fight-with-a-pig-youll-just-get-dirty-and/) [Kumar Anupam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumar-anupam/) > [The wheels are turning, but the hamsters are all dead. Make it idiot-proof and someone will make a better idiot. I learned long ago,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/the-wheels-are-turning-but-the-hamsters-are-all-dead-make-it-idiot/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [Dont ever wrestle with a pig u'll both get dirty but the pig will enj0y it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/udechukwu-d0navan/dont-ever-wrestle-with-a-pig-u-ll-both-get-dirty-but-the-pig-will/) [Udechukwu D0navan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/udechukwu-d0navan/) > [Dont ever wrestle with a pig. Youll both get dirty, but the pig will enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-ever-wrestle-with-a-pig-youll-both-get-dirty-but-the-pig-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't ever wrestle with a pig. You'll both get dirty, but the pig will enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cale-yarborough/don-t-ever-wrestle-with-a-pig-you-ll-both-get-dirty-but-the-pig-will/) [Cale Yarborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cale-yarborough/) > [I think they put some lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-think-they-put-some-lipstick-on-a-pig-but-it-s-still-a-pig/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Never wrestle with pigs. You get dirty and they enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/creighton-w-abrams-jr/never-wrestle-with-pigs-you-get-dirty-and-they-enjoy-it/) [Creighton W. Abrams, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/creighton-w-abrams-jr/) ## More by John McCain > [I have the utmost confidence in General Mattis, General Flynn, General Kelly, Dan Coates. I couldn't have picked a better team. And so I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-have-the-utmost-confidence-in-general-mattis-general-flynn-general/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Washington is a Hollywood for ugly people. Hollywood is a Washington for the simpleminded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/washington-is-a-hollywood-for-ugly-people-hollywood-is-a-washington/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [I think that it's important that we understand the importance of the Hispanic vote in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-think-that-it-s-important-that-we-understand-the-importance-of-the/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [ I will not agree to have this bill \[to repeal DADT \] go forward, because our economy is in the tank. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-will-not-agree-to-have-this-bill-to-repeal-dadt-go-forward-because/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [I don't know a politician who enjoys fundraising. 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Chelsea Manning broke her oath and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/thousands-of-americans-have-given-their-lives-in-afghanistan-and-iraq/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [The truth is sometimes a hard pill to swallow. It sometimes causes us difficulties at home and abroad. It is sometimes used by our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/the-truth-is-sometimes-a-hard-pill-to-swallow-it-sometimes-causes-us/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Countries, not just their armies, win wars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/countries-not-just-their-armies-win-wars/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [My greatest fear is the Iranians acquire a nuclear weapon and give it to a terrorist organization. And there is a real threat of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/my-greatest-fear-is-the-iranians-acquire-a-nuclear-weapon-and-give-it/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Presidential ambition is a disease that can only be cured by embalming fluid .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/presidential-ambition-is-a-disease-that-can-only-be-cured-by/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [3 "amnesty" didn't mean rewarding illegal behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/3-amnesty-didn-t-mean-rewarding-illegal-behavior/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [On the subject of Osama bin Laden... we will track him down. We will capture him. We will bring him to justice, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/on-the-subject-of-osama-bin-laden-we-will-track-him-down-we-will/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [That's Joe Biden right there - unbowed, unbroken and unable to stop talking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/that-s-joe-biden-right-there-unbowed-unbroken-and-unable-to-stop/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) [Explore all 539 John McCain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) ## More Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. 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He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [That dog, I say that dog is lower than a snake full of buckshot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foghorn-leghorn/that-dog-i-say-that-dog-is-lower-than-a-snake-full-of-buckshot/) [Foghorn Leghorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foghorn-leghorn/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Animal rights without veganism is like human rights with slavery. It makes no sense. None whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-l-francione/animal-rights-without-veganism-is-like-human-rights-with-slavery-it/) [Gary L. Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Never get into a wrestling match with a pig. 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