Quotes about Winning

Winning gives birth to hostility.
Losing, one lies down in pain.
The calmed lie down with ease,
having set winning & losing aside.

Dhammapada 15.201

Winning does not tempt that man. This is how he grows: by being defeated, decisively, by greater and greater beings.

 He who had to be right was indeed the last one standing...completely alone, winning is not always what it seems 

Imagine having the courage to take a risk, play the odds, be the person who invests in the unknown and ends up winning. Caroline Myss

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop
your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not
to surrender, that is strength.

If love is a game, it has to be the hardest game in the world. After all, how can anyone win a game where there's no rules?

Now remember: When things look bad and it looks like you're not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plumb mad-dog mean. 'Cause if you lose your head and give up then you neither live nor win. That's just the way it is.

--from The Outlaw Josey Wales

See yourself confronting your fears in your mind's eye and handling those fears like a champ.

Always cut the cards...and smile when you lose.

If to operate a machine is to operate like a machine, then we operate not only with each other like machines, we opearte each other like machines. And if a machine is`most effective when it has no effect, then we opearte each other in such a way that we reach the outcome desired - in such a way that nothing happens.

All weapons are designed to affect others without affecting ourselves, to make others answerable to the technology we control. Weapons are the equipment of finite games designed in such a way that they do not maximize the play but eliminate it. Weapons are meant not to win contest but to eliminate them. Killers are not victors; they are unopposed competitors, players without a game, living contradictions. - James P. Carse

Because no battle is ever won he said. They are not even fought. The field only reveals to man his own folly and despair, and victory is an illusion of philosophers and fools.

What really matters is not just our own winning but helping other people to win, too.

Those who know how to win are much more numerous than those who know how to make proper use of their victories

The spirit of a warrior is not geared to indulging and complaining, nor is it geared to winning or losing. The spirit of a warrior is geared only to struggle, and every struggle is a warrior's last battle on earth. Thus the outcome matters very little to him. In his last battle on earth a warrior lets his spirit flow free and clear. And as he wages his battle, knowing that his intent is impeccable, a warrior laughs and laughs.

Winning is not everything, but the effort to win is.

Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.

When you are winning a war, almost everything that happens can be claimed to be right and wise.

Both Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King used these phrases ("playing out of one's mind," or "over one's head") to describe their performances while winning tghe finals at Wimbledon in 1975. . . . The player loses himself in the action, continually breaki g the false limits placed on is potential. Awareness becomes acutely heightened, while analysis, anxiety and self-conscious thought are compoletly forgotten. Enjoyment is at a peak - pure and unspoiled.

Winning is a habit. Unfortuantely, so is losing.

Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything.

If winning isn't important, why keep score?

The Ten Commandments of Sport 1. Thou shalt not quit. 2. Thou shalt not alibi. 3. Thou shalt not gloat over winning. 4. Thou shalt not be a rotten loser. 5. Thou shalt not take unfair advantage. 6. Thou shalt not ask odds thou art unwilling to give. 7. Thou shalt always be ready to give thine opponent the shade. 8. Thou shalt not under estimate an opponent, nor over estimate thyself. 9. Remember the game is the thing, and he who thinketh otherwise is no true sportsman. 10. Honor the game thou playest, for he who playeth the game straight and hard, wins even when he loses.

Programming today is a race between software engineers stirring to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning.

Business is a lot like a game of tennis - those who serve well usually end up winning

We can always stick together when we are losing, but tend to find means of breaking up when we're winning. In Grace under Pressure, by Hastie, 1984.

Winning Strategists are certain of triumph before seeking a challenge. Losing Strategists are certain to challenge before seeking a triumph.

There is no relief at it being over. There is the joy of winning it.

An apocryphal story from the writings of Clement of Alexandria regarding John the Apostle quoted by John H. Vandenberg, Conference Report, October 1963, p.45 - p.46: ". . . about John the Apostle, handed down and preserved in memory. When, on the death of the tyrant, he (John) passed over to Ephesus from the Island of Patmos, he used to make missionary journeys also to neighboring gentile cities, in some places to appoint bishops, and in some to set in order whole churches and . . . to appoint one of those indicated by the Spirit. On his arrival then at one of the cities at no great distance, of which some even mention the name, . . . he saw a youth of stalwart frame and winning countenance, and impetuous spirit, and said to the bishop, 'I entrust to thee this youth with all earnestness, calling Christ and the Church to witness.' The bishop accepted the trust, and made all the requisite promises, and the apostle renewed his injunction and adjuration. He then returned to Ephesus, and the elder taking home with him the youth who had been entrusted to his care, maintained, cherished, and finally baptized him. After this he abandoned further care and protection of him, considering that he had affixed to him the seal of the Lord as a perfect amulet against evil. Thus prematurely neglected, the youth was corrupted by certain idle companions of his own age, who were familiar with evil, and who first led him astray by many costly banquets, and then took him out by night with them to share in their felonious proceedings, finally demanding his cooperation in some worse crime. First familiarized with guilt, and then, from the force of his character, starting aside from the straight path like some mighty steed that seizes the bit between its teeth; he rushed towards headlong ruin, and utterly abandoning the divine salvation, gathered his worst comrades around him, and became a most violent, bloodstained, and reckless bandit-chief. Not long afterwards John was recalled to the city, and after putting other things in order said, 'Come now, O bishop, restore to me the deposit which I and the Saviour entrusted to thee, with the witness of the Church over which thou dost preside.' At first the bishop in his alarm mistook the meaning of the metaphor, but the apostle said, 'I demand back the young man and the soul of the brother.' Then groaning from the depth of his heart and shedding tears, 'He is dead,' said the bishop. 'How and by what death?' 'He is dead to God! For he has turned out wicked and desperate, and, to sum up all, a brigand; and now, instead of the Church he has seized the mountain, with followers like himself.' Then the apostle, rending his robe and beating his head, with loud wailing said, 'A fine guardian of our brother's soul did I leave! Give me a horse and a guide.' Instantly, . . . he rode away . . . from the Church and arriving at the brigands' outposts, was captured without flight or resistance, but crying, 'For this I have come. Lead me to your chief.' The chief awaited him in his armour, but when he recognized John as he approached, he was struck with shame and turned to fly [flight]. But John pursued him as fast as he could, forgetful of his age, crying out, 'Why my son, dost thou fly [flee] from thine own father, unarmed, aged as he is? Pity me, . . . fear not . . . stay! believe! Christ sent me.' But he on hearing these words first stood with downcast gaze, then flung away his arms, then trembling, began to weep bitterly, and embraced the old man when he came up to him, pleading with his groans, . . . but the apostle pledging himself . . . led him back to the Church and praying for him . . . and wrestling with him in earnest fastings . . . did not depart, as they say, till he restored him to the bosom of the Church."

In building a firm foundation for Success, here are a few stones to remember: 1. The wisdom of preparation. 2. The value of confidence. 3. The worth of honesty. 4. The privilege of working. 5. The discipline of struggle. 6. The magnetism of character. 7. The radiance of health. 8. The forcefulness of simplicity. 9. The winsomeness of courtesy. 10. The attractiveness of modesty. 11. The inspiration of cleanliness. 12. The satisfaction of serving. 13. The power of suggestion. 14. The buoyancy of enthusiasm. 15. The advantage of initiative. 16. The virtue of patience. 17. The rewards of co-operation. 18. The fruitfulness of perseverance. 19. The sportsmanship of losing. 20. The joy of winning.

In prayer the lips ne'er act the winning part, Without the sweet concurrence of the heart.