---
title: "I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig, you get dirty; and b… — George Bernard Shaw Quote #210 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig, you get dirty; and besides, the pig likes it. — a quote by George Bernard Shaw."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig, you get dirty; and besides, the pig likes it.

[George Bernard Shaw](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw)\#210

[War](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/war/)[Wisdom](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/wisdom/)[Advice](https://quotesby.net/topics/advice/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?The author advises against engaging with petty people because they enjoy the conflict and you risk getting harmed.In plain termsDon't argue with petty people because they like it and you will get dirty.What can you take from it?Avoid petty conflicts as they offer no benefit and cause damage.

### Where it applies

- dealing with harassers
- choosing battles
- avoiding drama

### Putting it to work

- walk away from petty fights
- assess cost of engagement

### Questions to consider

- When is it worth engaging with trouble?
- How do you define a petty conflict?

### Another view

Sometimes confronting bad behavior is necessary regardless of the cost.

## More from George Bernard Shaw

1. > I can forgive Alfred Nobel for inventing dynamite, but only a fiend in human form could have invented the Nobel Prize.

[Permalink to quote \#209](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/209/ "Permalink to quote 209")
2. > I often quote myself. I find it adds spice to the conversation.

[Permalink to quote \#211](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/211/ "Permalink to quote 211")
3. > I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

[Permalink to quote \#208](https://quotesby.net/George-Bernard-Shaw/208/ "Permalink to quote 208")

## Related quotes

1. > Let sleeping dogs lie - who wants to rouse 'em?

[Charles Dickens](https://quotesby.net/Charles-Dickens)[Charles Dickens quote \#92](https://quotesby.net/Charles-Dickens/92/ "Permalink to quote 92")
2. > A buzzard took the monkey for a ride in the air The monkey thought that everything was on the square The buzzard tried to throw the monkey off his back But the…

[Nat (King) Cole](https://quotesby.net/Nat-(King)-Cole)[Nat (King) Cole quote \#1](https://quotesby.net/Nat-(King)-Cole/1/ "Permalink to quote 1")
3. > The parties are advised to chill.

[Alex Kozinski](https://quotesby.net/Alex-Kozinski)[Alex Kozinski quote \#2](https://quotesby.net/Alex-Kozinski/2/ "Permalink to quote 2")

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