Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; the hardest victory is over self.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
They always win who side with God.
—Frederick William Faber (1814–63) British Hymn Writer, Theologian
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
Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.
—Vincent van Gogh (1853–90) Dutch Painter
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
If you can’t win, make the guy ahead of you break the record.
—Anonymous
The struggle alone pleases us, not the victory.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Although I wanted my players to work to win, I tried to convince them they had always won when they had done their best.
—John Wooden (1910–2010) American Sportsperson
The first man gets the oyster, the second man gets the shell.
—Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) Scottish-American Industrialist
The winner persistently programs his pluses; the loser mournfully magnifies his minuses.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
The game is the thing. The wins and losses are not the thing. One loses every time one wins, for he then has no game.
—L. Ron Hubbard (1911–86) American Scientologist Religious Leader, Novelist, Author
Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing.
—Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874–1942) Canadian Novelist
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
The toughest thing about success is that you’ve got to keep on being a success. Talent is only a starting point in business. You’ve got to keep working that talent.
—Irving Berlin (1888–1989) American Songwriter, Composer
Learn to think like a winner. Think positive and visualize your strengths.
—Vic Braden (b.1929) American Sportsperson, Author
Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory.
—Arthur Ashe (1943–93) American Tennis Player
Victory belongs to the most persevering.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
If you don’t see yourself as a winner, then you cannot perform as a winner.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
Remember that the horse that finishes a neck ahead wins the race.
—Unknown
Don’t fight a battle if you don’t gain anything by winning.
—George S. Patton (1885–1945) American Military Leader
Those who know how to win are much more numerous than those who know how to make proper use of their victories.
—Polybius (c.200–c.118 BCE) Greek Historian
Winner expects to win in advance. Life is a self-fulfilling prophesy.
—Indian Proverb
The experienced mountain climber is not intimidated by a mountain—he is inspired by it. The persistent winner is not discouraged by a problem—he is challenged by it. Mountains are created to be conquered; adversities are designed to be defeated; problems are sent to be solved. It is better to master one mountain than a thousand foothills.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
The only way to be number one is to be number one.
—Indian Proverb
A winner never quits and a quitter never wins.
—Unknown
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
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 winner loses more often than losers.
—Unknown
The worst thing that can happen to a man who gambles is to win
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
Winners never quit, and quitters never win.
—Vince Lombardi, Jr. (1913–70) American Football Player, Coach