Always imitate the behavior of the winners when you lose.
—George Meredith (1828–1909) British Novelist, Poet, Critic
Never let defeat have the last word.
—Anonymous
They always win who side with God.
—Frederick William Faber (1814–63) British Hymn writer, Theologian
If you don’t try to win you might as well hold the Olympics in somebody’s back yard. The thrill of competing carries with it the thrill of a gold medal. One wants to win to prove himself the best.
—Jesse Owens (1913–80) American Track-and-Field Athlete
Nothing great is lightly won, nothing won is lost. Every good deed that’s nobly done will always repay the cost.
—Unknown
I don’t know if I even have an aura, man. I just try to win.
—Tiger Woods (b.1975) American Sportsperson
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Radical, Inventor
The winner persistently programs his pluses; the loser mournfully magnifies his minuses.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.
—Vincent van Gogh (1853–90) Dutch Painter
We may pass violets looking for roses. We may pass contentment looking for victory.
—Bert Williams (1876–1922) American Entertainer, Actor
You’ve got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.
—Arthur Ashe (1943–93) American Tennis Player
Skill and confidence are an unconquered army.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
Experience shows that success is due less to ability than to zeal. The winner is he who gives himself to his work, body and soul.
—Sir Thomas Buxton, 1st Baronet (1786–1845) English Politician, Social Reformer
Victory is won not in miles, but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later win a little more.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
A winner loses more often than losers.
—Unknown
A winner never stops trying.
—Tom Landry (1924–2000) American Sportsperson
The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell.
—Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) Scottish-American Industrialist
If you can’t win, make the guy ahead of you break the record.
—Anonymous
By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond the winning.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser.
—Lou Holtz (1893–1980) American Stage Performer
In order to win you must be prepared to lose something. And leave one or two cards showing.
—Van Morrison
Don’t believe that winning is really everything. It’s more important to stand for something. If you don’t stand for something, what do you win?
—Lane Kirkland (1922–99) American Labor Leader
The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, learn about them, or even seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.
—Denis Waitley (b.1933) American Motivational Speaker, Author
The most natural beauty in the world is honesty and moral truth; for all beauty is truth. True features make the beauty of a face; and true proportions the beauty of architecture; as true measures that of harmony and music. In poetry, which is all fable, truth still is the perfection.
—Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1621–83) British Statesman
A loser doesn’t know what he’ll do if he loses, but talks about what he’ll do if he wins, and a winner doesn’t talk about what he’ll do if he wins, but knows what he’ll do if he loses.
—Eric Berne (1910–70) Canadian-American Psychiatrist
Don’t fight a battle if you don’t gain anything by winning.
—George S. Patton (1885–1945) American Military Leader
The cheerful loser is the winner.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
A winner must first know what losing’s like.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
Part of being a winner is knowing when enough is enough. Sometimes you have to give up the fight and walk away, and move on to something that’s more productive.
—Donald Trump (b.1946) American Businessperson, Head of State
There is no victory at bargain basement prices.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader