--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Underestimating one's enemy was a classic…" description: "\"Underestimating one's enemy was a classic tactical mistake --- one that was usually born out of stupidity or arrogance or both. (Harry Smith)\" — Vince ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/vince-flynn-12653_arrogance_underestimating-one-s-enemy-was-a-classi_2724077.png" --- # Underestimating one's enemy was a classic tactical mistake… ![“Underestimating one's enemy was a classic tactical mistake --- one that was usually born out of stupidity or arrogance or both. (Harry Smith)” quote by Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/vince-flynn-12653_arrogance_underestimating-one-s-enemy-was-a-classi_2724077.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/vince-flynn-12653_arrogance_underestimating-one-s-enemy-was-a-classi_2724077.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/vince-flynn-12653_arrogance_underestimating-one-s-enemy-was-a-classi_2724077.png) > “Underestimating one's enemy was a classic tactical mistake --- one that was usually born out of stupidity or arrogance or both. (Harry Smith)” [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Underestimating opponents stems from arrogance or folly, leading to tactical errors **In simple terms:** Arrogance blinds strategic judgment Key Takeaway Avoid underestimating opponents Themes humility strategy arrogance Mood cautious critical Type strategic warning When to use this quote - Military planning - business competition - political campaigns Key Concepts Cognitive bias tactical error Questions to Reflect On - What checks can prevent arrogance in decision making? - How to cultivate realistic threat assessments? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can cause misreading of opponent strengths ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Arrogance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrogance/) [Arrogance Harry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrogance-harry-2905199/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Classic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/classic/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Stupidity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupidity/) [Stupidity Arrogance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupidity-arrogance-965629/) [Tactical Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tactical-mistake-2905198/) [Underestimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underestimate/) [Underestimating Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/underestimating-enemy-2544625/) ## Related quotes > [“Underestimating one's enemy was a classic tactical mistake --- one that was usually born out of stupidity or arrogance or both. (Mitch Rapp)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/underestimating-one-s-enemy-was-a-classic-tactical-mistake-one-that/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [I am guilty of stupidity, arrogance, and greed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-madden/i-am-guilty-of-stupidity-arrogance-and-greed/) [Steve Madden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-madden/) > [You know when you're young, you have this unbelievable stupidity and arrogance and ignorance all mixed in?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-guest/you-know-when-you-re-young-you-have-this-unbelievable-stupidity-and/) [Christopher Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-guest/) > [“That's arrogance, Harry. " he said, gently. "On a level so deep, you don't even realize it exists. And do you know why it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/that-s-arrogance-harry-he-said-gently-on-a-level-so-deep-you-don-t/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) > [There is no more certain sign of a narrow mind, of stupidity, and of arrogance, than to stand aloof from those who think differently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/there-is-no-more-certain-sign-of-a-narrow-mind-of-stupidity-and-of/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [The generals have a saying: "Rather than make the first move it is better to wait and see. Rather than advance an inch it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-generals-have-a-saying-rather-than-make-the-first-move-it-is/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The loss of any army is always caused by underestimating the enemy. Therefore gather information and watch the enemy carefully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuge-liang/the-loss-of-any-army-is-always-caused-by-underestimating-the-enemy/) [Zhuge Liang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuge-liang/) > [No misfortune is worse than underestimating the enemy. Underestimating the enemy, I risk losing my treasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/no-misfortune-is-worse-than-underestimating-the-enemy-underestimating/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Consequences of linear thinking in Afghanistan and Iraq included overestimating indigenous forces' capabilities, underestimating the enemy, and the associated expectation that the coalition could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-r-mcmaster/consequences-of-linear-thinking-in-afghanistan-and-iraq-included/) [H. R. McMaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-r-mcmaster/) > [“Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/simplicity-patience-compassion-these-three-are-your-greatest-2/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [“Problem with an old friend who is too busy: he always perceives you as if never changed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/problem-with-an-old-friend-who-is-too-busy-he-always-perceives-you-as/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [The way the world underestimates me will be my greatest weapon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calista-flockhart/the-way-the-world-underestimates-me-will-be-my-greatest-weapon/) [Calista Flockhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calista-flockhart/) > [When Allah puts barakah (His blessings) in something, it will come beyond your expectations- never underestimate the power of one good deed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nouman-ali-khan/when-allah-puts-barakah-his-blessings-in-something-it-will-come/) [Nouman Ali Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nouman-ali-khan/) > [“You underestimate yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/you-underestimate-yourself/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) ## More by Vince Flynn > [I have a history of disregarding orders. - Mitch Rapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/i-have-a-history-of-disregarding-orders-mitch-rapp/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [Anybody who knew me growing up calls me Vinny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/anybody-who-knew-me-growing-up-calls-me-vinny/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [Killing Lincoln is a must-read historical thriller. Bill O'Reilly recounts the dramatic events of the spring of 1865 with such exhilarating immediacy that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/killing-lincoln-is-a-must-read-historical-thriller-bill-o-reilly/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [If you're not busy living, you're dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/if-you-re-not-busy-living-you-re-dying/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [When I was writing my first novel a friend told me I should apply for a grant from the government that was offered to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/when-i-was-writing-my-first-novel-a-friend-told-me-i-should-apply-for/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [“I don't want to hear another word about my attitude. i don't want anyone looking over my shoulder, and I sure as hell don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/i-don-t-want-to-hear-another-word-about-my-attitude-i-don-t-want/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [“Abu, torturing guys and breaking them down is not something I look forward to, although your case is a little different. I think you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/abu-torturing-guys-and-breaking-them-down-is-not-something-i-look/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [“He made that exact point to Kennedy, but she remained obstinate on the matter. She wouldn’t go into”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/he-made-that-exact-point-to-kennedy-but-she-remained-obstinate-on-the/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [I have been blessed to have the same editor and work for a great publishing house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/i-have-been-blessed-to-have-the-same-editor-and-work-for-a-great/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [Have you ever heard the phrase, it is better to keep your mouth closed and have people wonder if you are stupid than open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/have-you-ever-heard-the-phrase-it-is-better-to-keep-your-mouth-closed/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [No offence Mitch, but you look like s\*\*\*\*\*." "I feel like s\*\*\*\*](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/no-offence-mitch-but-you-look-like-s-i-feel-like-s/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [“I don't need men like Ross on my side. I just need them to get out of my way. (Mitch Rapp)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/i-don-t-need-men-like-ross-on-my-side-i-just-need-them-to-get-out-of/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [I think the more avenues that open up when people want to publish, the better. Some of the authors that want to jump ship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/i-think-the-more-avenues-that-open-up-when-people-want-to-publish-the/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [I'm a bit of a Libertarian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/i-m-a-bit-of-a-libertarian/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [“He hesitated for a split second, then told himself not to think. “I’d rather go down swinging,” he muttered as he shut the door.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/he-hesitated-for-a-split-second-then-told-himself-not-to-think-i-d/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) [Explore all 54 Vince Flynn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) ## More Arrogance quotes > [Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this \[step by step, from humans to apes to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-huxley/perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us-with-so-extraordinary-a/) [Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-huxley/) > [wishes for sons by Lucille Clifton i wish them cramps. i wish them a strange town and the last tampon. I wish them no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-clifton/wishes-for-sons-by-lucille-clifton-i-wish-them-cramps-i-wish-them-a/) [Lucille Clifton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-clifton/) > [The structure of the Swiss ruling class is rock-hard, and unchanged since the time of Napoleon. They sit on their mountains and lecture the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ziegler/the-structure-of-the-swiss-ruling-class-is-rock-hard-and-unchanged/) [Jean Ziegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ziegler/) > [What you see of me on TV and all of that, that is me - that's truly how I feel. I'm just multiplying it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-corbin/what-you-see-of-me-on-tv-and-all-of-that-that-is-me-that-s-truly-how/) [Baron Corbin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-corbin/) > [I don't join the New Atheists. So, for example, I wouldn't have the arrogance to lecture some mother who hopes to see her dying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/i-don-t-join-the-new-atheists-so-for-example-i-wouldn-t-have-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Never mistake someones quietness for their arrogance as you can surely miss out on an awsome personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-mistake-someones-quietness-for-their-arrogance-as-you-can/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/most-of-us-think-of-pride-as-self-centeredness-conceit-boastfulness/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“I was consumed by a selfishness and arrogance that I didn't dare let go of until I found a new persona to hide behind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-koomson/i-was-consumed-by-a-selfishness-and-arrogance-that-i-didn-t-dare-let/) [Dorothy Koomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-koomson/) > [Arrogance is the outgrowth of prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plautus/arrogance-is-the-outgrowth-of-prosperity/) [Plautus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plautus/) > [Timing and arrogance are decisive factors in the successful use of talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marya-mannes/timing-and-arrogance-are-decisive-factors-in-the-successful-use-of/) [Marya Mannes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marya-mannes/) > [Some say work smarter, not harder, but the wisest are both. Whether you're more of a hard worker or a smart worker, if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colby-tatem/some-say-work-smarter-not-harder-but-the-wisest-are-both-whether-you/) [Colby Tatem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colby-tatem/) > [Closed some doors, not because of pride, incapacity or arrogance, but simply because they no longer lead somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frenz-jeffrey/closed-some-doors-not-because-of-pride-incapacity-or-arrogance-but/) [Frenz Jeffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frenz-jeffrey/) > [My success isn't a result of arrogance - it's a result of belief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcgregor/my-success-isn-t-a-result-of-arrogance-it-s-a-result-of-belief/) [Conor McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcgregor/) > [“...a great man who is vicious will only be a great doer of evil, and a rich man who is not liberal will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-cervantes/a-great-man-who-is-vicious-will-only-be-a-great-doer-of-evil-and-a/) [Miguel Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-cervantes/) > [An increasing number of people are growing uncomfortable with the gulf between the world's rich and the poor. Ostentatiously splashing your money around simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalle-lasn/an-increasing-number-of-people-are-growing-uncomfortable-with-the/) [Kalle Lasn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalle-lasn/) [Browse all 1,418 Arrogance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arrogance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Underestimating one's enemy was a classic tactical mistake --- one that was usually born out of stupidity or arrogance or both. 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