The softest things in the world overcome the hardest things in the world.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
The most dangerous moment comes with victory.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
The fixed determination to have acquired the warrior soul, to either conquer or perish with honor, is the secret of victory.
—George S. Patton (1885–1945) American Military Leader
No conquest can ever become permanent which does not show itself beneficial to the conquered as well as to the conquerors.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
There’s an old saying that victory has hundred fathers and defeat is an orphan.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.
—Buddhist Teaching
The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without even having to fight them.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Men talk as if victory were something fortunate. Work is victory.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Beware of rashness, but with energy, and sleepless vigilance, go forward and give us victories.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Happiness is not pleasure, it’s victory.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
A masterful retreat is itself a victory.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
Victory; a matter of staying power.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
The struggle alone pleases us, not the victory.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Genuine victories, the sole conquests yielding no remorse, are those gained over ignorance
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Victory may be honorable to the arms, but shameful to the counsels of the nation.
—Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke (1678–1751) English Politician, Philosopher
The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities…It is best to win without fighting.
—Sun Tzu (fl. c.544–496 BCE) Chinese General, Military Theorist
To turn an obstacle to one’s advantage is a great step towards victory.
—French Proverb
Part of the happiness of life consists not in fighting battles, but in avoiding them. A masterly retreat is in itself a victory.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
We do not rejoice in victories. We rejoice when a new kind of cotton is grown and when strawberries bloom in Israel.
—Golda Meir (1898–1978) Israeli Head of State
We improve ourselves by victories over ourself. There must be contests, and you must win.
—Edward Gibbon (1737–94) English Historian, Politician
By yielding you may obtain victory
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
If you live long enough, you’ll see that every victory turns into a defeat.
—Simone de Beauvoir (1908–86) French Philosopher, Writer, Feminist
Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.
—Sun Tzu (fl. c.544–496 BCE) Chinese General, Military Theorist
A victory without danger is a triumph without glory.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
Exile, for no other motive than ease, would be the last defeat, with no seed of future victory in it.
—Lois McMaster Bujold (b.1949) American Novelist, Writer
In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
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
Every moment of resistance to temptation is a victory.
—Frederick William Faber (1814–63) British Hymn Writer, Theologian
No cross no crown.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
The problems of victory are more agreeable than those of defeat, but they are no less difficult.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author