Who said “I have not yet begun to fight.”?

Verified

John Paul Jones. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceHis famous response, in the early phase of the Battle of Flamborough Head, (23 September 1779) to an inquiry by his opponent (Captain Richard Pearson of the Royal Navy ship HMS Serapis)

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“I have not yet begun to fight.”
— John Paul Jones
VerifiedHis famous response, in the early phase of the Battle of Flamborough Head, (23 September 1779) to an inquiry by his opponent (Captain Richard Pearson of the Royal Navy ship HMS Serapis) · evidenceFights and Fighting

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: His famous response, in the early phase of the Battle of Flamborough Head, (23 September 1779) to an inquiry by his opponent (Captain Richard Pearson of the Royal Navy ship HMS Serapis).

APA

Jones, J. P. (n.d.). I have not yet begun to fight. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17963-i-have-not-yet-begun-to-fight/

MLA

Jones, John Paul. “I have not yet begun to fight.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17963-i-have-not-yet-begun-to-fight/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Jones, John Paul. “I have not yet begun to fight.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/17963-i-have-not-yet-begun-to-fight/.

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