--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If one must fight one should confine…" description: "\"If one must fight one should confine oneself to conventional weapons.\" — Mao Zedong" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c58/mao-zedong-1123_conventional_if-one-must-fight-one-should-confine-one_325826.jpg" --- # If one must fight one should confine oneself to… ![“If one must fight one should confine oneself to conventional weapons.” quote by Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c58/mao-zedong-1123_conventional_if-one-must-fight-one-should-confine-one_325826.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c58/mao-zedong-1123_conventional_if-one-must-fight-one-should-confine-one_325826.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c58/mao-zedong-1123_conventional_if-one-must-fight-one-should-confine-one_325826.jpg) > “If one must fight one should confine oneself to conventional weapons.” [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Combat should be limited to traditional weapons. **In simple terms:** Fight with conventional arms only. Key Takeaway Use established tools for conflict. Themes war strategy conventional warfare Mood strategic cautious Type military ethical When to use this quote - battlefield planning - defense policy - historical analysis Key Concepts military doctrine ethical combat Questions to Reflect On - When are non‑traditional methods justified? - How do ethics shape weapon choice? A Different Perspective Modern conflicts often involve unconventional tactics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confine Oneself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confine-oneself-3061258/) [Conventional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conventional/) [Conventional Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conventional-weapons-2015112/) [Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) [Fight Confine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight-confine-3061257/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Oneself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneself/) [Oneself Conventional](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneself-conventional-3061259/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) ## Related quotes > [Landmines are different from other conventional weapons. When a war is over, the landmines stay in the ground and continue to kill - for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jody-williams/landmines-are-different-from-other-conventional-weapons-when-a-war-is/) [Jody Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jody-williams/) > [One of the greatest concerns that I had when I became President was the vast array of nuclear weapons in the arsenals of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-greatest-concerns-that-i-had-when-i-became-president-was/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [The catch word is equilibrium again, informed the field what are conventional weapons or nuclear weapons of different qualities. You cannot make up for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-schmidt/the-catch-word-is-equilibrium-again-informed-the-field-what-are/) [Helmut Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-schmidt/) > [If Americans were attacked, it does change the equation. 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Bannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-k-bannon/) > [No country can hope to beat the Yanks off with conventional weapons - they've got air, sea and land completely covered. The only recourse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-kingston/no-country-can-hope-to-beat-the-yanks-off-with-conventional-weapons/) [Margo Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-kingston/) > [Isn't a policy of conventional weapons, with the terrible bombs raining down, with the missiles, with the aircraft, with the submarines, with the torpedoes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/isn-t-a-policy-of-conventional-weapons-with-the-terrible-bombs/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [Several studies, and a number of public statements by senior military and political personalities, testify that - except for disputes between the present nuclear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-rotblat/several-studies-and-a-number-of-public-statements-by-senior-military/) [Joseph Rotblat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-rotblat/) > [By legitimizing Iran's nuclear program, removing the pressure of economic sanctions, and allowing it to obtain conventional weapons and ballistic missiles, this agreement makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-b-pritzker/by-legitimizing-iran-s-nuclear-program-removing-the-pressure-of/) [J. B. Pritzker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-b-pritzker/) > [Israel will not tolerate a situation in which Iran has effective control of non-conventional weapons that can be used directly against the state of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehud-olmert/israel-will-not-tolerate-a-situation-in-which-iran-has-effective/) [Ehud Olmert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehud-olmert/) > [Contrarian thinking at its best simply asks, Is this really true? It speaks up when the politically correct answer or the conventional wisdom doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-osborne/contrarian-thinking-at-its-best-simply-asks-is-this-really-true-it/) [Larry Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-osborne/) > [Conventional agriculture has never succeeded in feeding the world, and it's never produced anything good to eat. For the future, we need to look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-barber/conventional-agriculture-has-never-succeeded-in-feeding-the-world-and/) [Dan Barber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-barber/) > [A language possesses utility only insofar as it can construct conventional boundaries. A language of no boundaries is no language at all, and thus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wilber/a-language-possesses-utility-only-insofar-as-it-can-construct/) [Ken Wilber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wilber/) > [Whether you are buying a car or casting a ballot, choosing a job or planning a family, follow your moral compass. Don't let others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/whether-you-are-buying-a-car-or-casting-a-ballot-choosing-a-job-or/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) ## More by Mao Zedong > [Firstly, do not fear hardship, and secondly, do not fear death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/firstly-do-not-fear-hardship-and-secondly-do-not-fear-death/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [The most effective method of propaganda directed at the enemy forces is to release captured soldiers and give the wounded medical treatment... Whenever soldiers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/the-most-effective-method-of-propaganda-directed-at-the-enemy-forces/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [We must learn to do economic work from all who know how, no matter who they are. We must esteem them as teachers, learning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/we-must-learn-to-do-economic-work-from-all-who-know-how-no-matter-who/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [A revolution is not a dinner party, or writing an essay, or painting a picture, or doing embroidery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/a-revolution-is-not-a-dinner-party-or-writing-an-essay-or-painting-a/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [At the beginning of anything out of the ordinary, the mass of the people always dislike it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/at-the-beginning-of-anything-out-of-the-ordinary-the-mass-of-the/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Winds flap the sail, tortoise and snake are silent, a great plan looms. A bridge will fly over this moat dug by heaven and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/winds-flap-the-sail-tortoise-and-snake-are-silent-a-great-plan-looms/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/let-a-hundred-flowers-bloom-let-a-hundred-schools-of-thought-contend/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [ In the struggle to defend the legacy of Leninism . . . \[Stalin\] proved himself to be an outstanding Marxist-Leninist fighter. . . .… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/in-the-struggle-to-defend-the-legacy-of-leninism-stalin-proved/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [New things have to experience difficulties and setbacks as they grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/new-things-have-to-experience-difficulties-and-setbacks-as-they-grow/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [It is necessary to master Marxist theory and apply it, master it for the sole purpose of applying it. If you can apply the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/it-is-necessary-to-master-marxist-theory-and-apply-it-master-it-for/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [It is a very good thing, and a significant one too, to exterminate the bourgeoisie and capitalism in China.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/it-is-a-very-good-thing-and-a-significant-one-too-to-exterminate-the/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Return to Shaoshan I regret the passing, the dying, of the vague dream: my native orchards thirty-two years ago. Yet red banners roused the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/return-to-shaoshan-i-regret-the-passing-the-dying-of-the-vague-dream/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [We should go to the masses and learn from them, synthesize their experience into better, articulated principles and methods, then do propaganda among the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/we-should-go-to-the-masses-and-learn-from-them-synthesize-their/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Complacency is the enemy of study.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/complacency-is-the-enemy-of-study/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [Women hold up half the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/women-hold-up-half-the-sky/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) [Explore all 287 Mao Zedong quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) ## More Conventional quotes > [Whether you are buying a car or casting a ballot, choosing a job or planning a family, follow your moral compass. 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It speaks up when the politically correct answer or the conventional wisdom doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-osborne/contrarian-thinking-at-its-best-simply-asks-is-this-really-true-it/) [Larry Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-osborne/) > [Because investors are not usually penalized for adhering to conventional practices, doing so is the less professionally risky strategy, even though it virtually guarantees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/because-investors-are-not-usually-penalized-for-adhering-to/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) > [My father was in real estate, banking, and land management. As family life, it was very conventional, happy, and comfortable. We weren't wealthy, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-child/my-father-was-in-real-estate-banking-and-land-management-as-family/) [Julia Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-child/) > [Our Christian faith is actually very subversive of the conventional notion of success - the notion that what invests a person with worth is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/our-christian-faith-is-actually-very-subversive-of-the-conventional/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [I think you will learn to be natural with me, as I find it impossible to be conventional with you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/i-think-you-will-learn-to-be-natural-with-me-as-i-find-it-impossible/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [What's different now is that while political leaders used to give talking points to talk radio, now talk-radio hosts are giving talking points to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-avlon/what-s-different-now-is-that-while-political-leaders-used-to-give/) [John Avlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-avlon/) > [Some days, I think maybe we should try and be a little more conventional, but every time I try, I fail, so I'm learning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seinabo-sey/some-days-i-think-maybe-we-should-try-and-be-a-little-more/) [Seinabo Sey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seinabo-sey/) > [The vision of extraordinary achievement is,by definition, a few steps beyond consensus and conventional logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-belsky/the-vision-of-extraordinary-achievement-is-by-definition-a-few-steps/) [Scott Belsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-belsky/) > [“Can you make me remember the conventional way?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-ellen-malpas/can-you-make-me-remember-the-conventional-way/) [Jodi Ellen Malpas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-ellen-malpas/) > [Nobody can live in society without conventions. The reason why sensible people are as conventional as they can bear to be is that conventionality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/nobody-can-live-in-society-without-conventions-the-reason-why/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [Currency speculation-over a trillion dollars a day-is a tax-free activity. The notion of a tax on "day trades" or other speculative swaps was revived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kierans/currency-speculation-over-a-trillion-dollars-a-day-is-a-tax-free/) [Eric Kierans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kierans/) > [Fear is a problem with film music and films; people want to be conventional, and there's more commercialism today. If you are not daring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-north/fear-is-a-problem-with-film-music-and-films-people-want-to-be/) [Alex North](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-north/) [Browse all 742 Conventional quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conventional/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If one must fight one should confine oneself to conventional weapons.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mao Zedong" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/if-one-must-fight-one-should-confine-oneself-to-conventional-weapons/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Conventional" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/if-one-must-fight-one-should-confine-oneself-to-conventional-weapons/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c58/mao-zedong-1123_conventional_if-one-must-fight-one-should-confine-one_325826.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c58/mao-zedong-1123_conventional_if-one-must-fight-one-should-confine-one_325826.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c58/mao-zedong-1123_conventional_if-one-must-fight-one-should-confine-one_325826.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If one must fight one should confine oneself to conventional weapons.” — Mao Zedong", "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": "Mao Zedong", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If one must fight one should...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/if-one-must-fight-one-should-confine-oneself-to-conventional-weapons/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/if-one-must-fight-one-should-confine-oneself-to-conventional-weapons/#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 } } ] } ```