# 'The animal is mean, because it fights back' quote?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animal-is-mean-because-it-fights-back-quote/1005621>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 12, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animal-is-mean-because-it-fights-back-quote/1005621 "2024-08-12T16:30:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animal-is-mean-because-it-fights-back-quote/1005621/1 "2024-08-12T16:30:38Z")

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I can’t remember the exact verbiage in English, but less French.

What is the exact quote that says ‘The animal is mean, because it fights back’?

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**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animal-is-mean-because-it-fights-back-quote/1005621/2 "2024-08-12T16:37:32Z")

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Is it [**this**](https://www.englishclub.com/ref/esl/Quotes/Life/This_animal_is_very_bad_when_you_attack_it_it_defends_itself._2782.php)?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animal-is-mean-because-it-fights-back-quote/1005621/3 "2024-08-12T16:49:43Z")

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> “This animal is very bad; when you attack it, it defends itself.”
> 
> **Origin** :
> 
> _Cet animal est très méchant,  
> Quand on l’attaque il se défend._

That’s it!

Thank you… _Merci._

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\
**Post date:** [August 12, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animal-is-mean-because-it-fights-back-quote/1005621/4 "2024-08-12T16:54:19Z")

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Next time, I’ll remember to just copy and paste it instead of just providing the link 🙂

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2024, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-animal-is-mean-because-it-fights-back-quote/1005621/5 "2024-08-13T15:09:00Z")

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> [@Johnny\_L.A](#):
>
> but less French.

A day later, I’ve just noticed that this should be ‘ **much** less French.’