---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is one thing to go into combat, but…"
description: "\"It is one thing to go into combat, but quite another to go in with the sapping knowledge that what you do in the next few chaotic minutes or hours in t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/nicholas-soames-14820_combat_it-is-one-thing-to-go-into-combat-but-qu_254117.jpg"
---

#  It is one thing to go into combat, but quite another to go…

![“It is one thing to go into combat, but quite another to go in with the sapping knowledge that what you do in the next few chaotic minutes or hours in the name of your mates, your regiment, your country, might also see you dragged into court.” quote by Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/nicholas-soames-14820_combat_it-is-one-thing-to-go-into-combat-but-qu_254117.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/nicholas-soames-14820_combat_it-is-one-thing-to-go-into-combat-but-qu_254117.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/nicholas-soames-14820_combat_it-is-one-thing-to-go-into-combat-but-qu_254117.jpg)

> “It is one thing to go into combat, but quite another to go in with the sapping knowledge that what you do in the next few chaotic minutes or hours in the name of your mates, your regiment, your country, might also see you dragged into court.”

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Combat can be noble, but the legal consequences of wartime actions can be severe and unexpected.

**In simple terms:** War actions may lead to legal trouble.

Key Takeaway

Consider the legal risks before acting.

Themes

military ethics law responsibility

Mood

serious reflective

Type

cautionary ethical

When to use this quote

- soldiers in combat
- legal tribunals
- military decision making

Key Concepts

rules of engagement military justice

Questions to Reflect On

- How do soldiers balance duty with potential legal fallout?
- What safeguards exist to protect combatants?

A Different Perspective

Legal accountability can deter necessary actions.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Combat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Court](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/court/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/)

## Related quotes

> [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/)

[Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/)

> [But despite their heroic acts, the Vietnam Veterans of America continued to struggle to establish a combat badge in honor of these brave pilots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-holden/but-despite-their-heroic-acts-the-vietnam-veterans-of-america/)

[Tim Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-holden/)

> [Either we stand united and agree to combat climate change or we will all stumble and fall and condemn humanity to a tragic future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enele-sopoaga/either-we-stand-united-and-agree-to-combat-climate-change-or-we-will/)

[Enele Sopoaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enele-sopoaga/)

> [An untrained or uneducated Marine ... deployed to the combat zone is a bigger threat to mission accomplishment ... than the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/an-untrained-or-uneducated-marine-deployed-to-the-combat-zone-is-a/)

[James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/)

> [A warrior is always aware of what is worth fighting for. He does not go into combat over things that do not concern him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/a-warrior-is-always-aware-of-what-is-worth-fighting-for-he-does-not/)

[Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/)

> [As a soldier and combat veteran, I believe American military forces should only be used in the defense and furtherance of our nation's vital…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-ernst/as-a-soldier-and-combat-veteran-i-believe-american-military-forces/)

[Joni Ernst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-ernst/)

> [The United States can certainly defeat North Vietnam, but the United States cannot defeat a guerrilla war which is being raged from a sanctuary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/the-united-states-can-certainly-defeat-north-vietnam-but-the-united/)

[Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/)

> [The fight against syphilis demands a fight against prostitution, against prejudices, old habits, against previous conceptions, general views among them not least the false…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-fight-against-syphilis-demands-a-fight-against-prostitution/)

[Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/)

> [“It is believed by many that the military life is one of adventure and excitement. In truth, that life more often consists of long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-zahn-star-wars-thrawn/it-is-believed-by-many-that-the-military-life-is-one-of-adventure-and/)

[Timothy Zahn, Star Wars: Thrawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-zahn-star-wars-thrawn/)

> [Success flourishes only in perseverance ceaseless, restless perseverance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/success-flourishes-only-in-perseverance-ceaseless-restless/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/)

[James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/)

> [“I hate the way you talk to me And the way you cut your hair I hate the way you drive my car I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-hate-the-way-you-talk-to-me-and-the-way-you-cut-your-hair-i-hate/)

[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

> [Im a ham. I was immediately attracted to fencing because it seemed like a romantic, melodramatic form of combat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-dickinson/im-a-ham-i-was-immediately-attracted-to-fencing-because-it-seemed/)

[Bruce Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-dickinson/)

> [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [Any physical practice can be a competitive sport. What level you can take postures to create the maximum challenge and show your maximum skill,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajashree-choudhury/any-physical-practice-can-be-a-competitive-sport-what-level-you-can/)

[Rajashree Choudhury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajashree-choudhury/)

## More by Nicholas Soames

> [Schengen cannot survive without the most dramatic reform, and the external borders of Europe must be rapidly strengthened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/schengen-cannot-survive-without-the-most-dramatic-reform-and-the/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [I think one of the laughable things about poor old Brexit is that they're so cross - they're furious with everyone. But this isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/i-think-one-of-the-laughable-things-about-poor-old-brexit-is-that/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [I hope that 'Remain' will carry the day, just on the grounds of common sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/i-hope-that-remain-will-carry-the-day-just-on-the-grounds-of-common/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [We must find a credible route through Brexit to build a better country and go forward together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/we-must-find-a-credible-route-through-brexit-to-build-a-better/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [This country has always led from the front and it should continue to do so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/this-country-has-always-led-from-the-front-and-it-should-continue-to/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [As the world has grown bigger for our country, the opportunities greater, the chances more glittering for our commerce and our people, too many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/as-the-world-has-grown-bigger-for-our-country-the-opportunities/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [When you are choosing an MP you need to choose the person who is pretty much likely to be the best representative for your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/when-you-are-choosing-an-mp-you-need-to-choose-the-person-who-is/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [To be dubbed by my sovereign is an absolutely wonderful honour for me and my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/to-be-dubbed-by-my-sovereign-is-an-absolutely-wonderful-honour-for-me/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [The idea that the British carried out hundreds of war crimes in Iraq is, of course, utterly without foundation and grossly unfair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/the-idea-that-the-british-carried-out-hundreds-of-war-crimes-in-iraq/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [I really should not need to spell this out, but one of the attributes of a successful sniper is that he makes no sound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/i-really-should-not-need-to-spell-this-out-but-one-of-the-attributes/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [When you have a general election result you don't like, you don't have another general election.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/when-you-have-a-general-election-result-you-don-t-like-you-don-t-have/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [The whole social media can destroy people overnight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/the-whole-social-media-can-destroy-people-overnight/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [I am worried about the Tory party because give or take the odd spasm we have always been seen as pragmatic, sensible, good at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/i-am-worried-about-the-tory-party-because-give-or-take-the-odd-spasm/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [I accept that the Army must do what it thinks it needs to get people to join, but I think they ought to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/i-accept-that-the-army-must-do-what-it-thinks-it-needs-to-get-people/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

> [I'm not going to pretend to be anything I'm not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/i-m-not-going-to-pretend-to-be-anything-i-m-not/)

[Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

[Explore all 45 Nicholas Soames quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/)

## More Combat quotes

> [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/)

[Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/)

> [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [Im a ham. I was immediately attracted to fencing because it seemed like a romantic, melodramatic form of combat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-dickinson/im-a-ham-i-was-immediately-attracted-to-fencing-because-it-seemed/)

[Bruce Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-dickinson/)

> [“I hate the way you talk to me And the way you cut your hair I hate the way you drive my car I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/i-hate-the-way-you-talk-to-me-and-the-way-you-cut-your-hair-i-hate/)

[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

> [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/)

[James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/)

> [Success flourishes only in perseverance ceaseless, restless perseverance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/success-flourishes-only-in-perseverance-ceaseless-restless/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“It is believed by many that the military life is one of adventure and excitement. In truth, that life more often consists of long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-zahn-star-wars-thrawn/it-is-believed-by-many-that-the-military-life-is-one-of-adventure-and/)

[Timothy Zahn, Star Wars: Thrawn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-zahn-star-wars-thrawn/)

> [The fight against syphilis demands a fight against prostitution, against prejudices, old habits, against previous conceptions, general views among them not least the false…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/the-fight-against-syphilis-demands-a-fight-against-prostitution/)

[Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/)

> [The United States can certainly defeat North Vietnam, but the United States cannot defeat a guerrilla war which is being raged from a sanctuary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zbigniew-brzezinski/the-united-states-can-certainly-defeat-north-vietnam-but-the-united/)

[Zbigniew Brzezinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zbigniew-brzezinski/)

> [As a soldier and combat veteran, I believe American military forces should only be used in the defense and furtherance of our nation's vital…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-ernst/as-a-soldier-and-combat-veteran-i-believe-american-military-forces/)

[Joni Ernst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-ernst/)

> [A warrior is always aware of what is worth fighting for. He does not go into combat over things that do not concern him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/a-warrior-is-always-aware-of-what-is-worth-fighting-for-he-does-not/)

[Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/)

> [An untrained or uneducated Marine ... deployed to the combat zone is a bigger threat to mission accomplishment ... than the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/an-untrained-or-uneducated-marine-deployed-to-the-combat-zone-is-a/)

[James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/)

> [Either we stand united and agree to combat climate change or we will all stumble and fall and condemn humanity to a tragic future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enele-sopoaga/either-we-stand-united-and-agree-to-combat-climate-change-or-we-will/)

[Enele Sopoaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enele-sopoaga/)

> [But despite their heroic acts, the Vietnam Veterans of America continued to struggle to establish a combat badge in honor of these brave pilots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-holden/but-despite-their-heroic-acts-the-vietnam-veterans-of-america/)

[Tim Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-holden/)

> [Any physical practice can be a competitive sport. What level you can take postures to create the maximum challenge and show your maximum skill,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajashree-choudhury/any-physical-practice-can-be-a-competitive-sport-what-level-you-can/)

[Rajashree Choudhury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajashree-choudhury/)

[Browse all 1,019 Combat quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It is one thing to go into combat, but quite another to go in with the sapping knowledge that what you do in the next few chaotic minutes or hours in the name of your mates, your regiment, your country, might also see you dragged into court.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Nicholas Soames"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/it-is-one-thing-to-go-into-combat-but-quite-another-to-go-in-with-the/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Combat"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/it-is-one-thing-to-go-into-combat-but-quite-another-to-go-in-with-the/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/nicholas-soames-14820_combat_it-is-one-thing-to-go-into-combat-but-qu_254117.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/nicholas-soames-14820_combat_it-is-one-thing-to-go-into-combat-but-qu_254117.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf6/nicholas-soames-14820_combat_it-is-one-thing-to-go-into-combat-but-qu_254117.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It is one thing to go into combat, but quite another to go in with the sapping knowledge that what you do in…” — Nicholas Soames",
                "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": "Nicholas Soames",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It is one thing to go...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/it-is-one-thing-to-go-into-combat-but-quite-another-to-go-in-with-the/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/it-is-one-thing-to-go-into-combat-but-quite-another-to-go-in-with-the/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
