Quotes about defeat and losing

1. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat.

2. Mencius said, 'The great man is he who does not lose his child's-heart.'

3. The Master said, "Learning without thought is labour lost; thought without learning is perilous.

4. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive.

5. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.

6. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

7. Hence the skilful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.

8. Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger; that there may be advantage from defeating the enemy, they must have their rewards.

9. The Master said, "Man is born for uprightness. If a man lose his uprightness, and yet live, his escape from death is the effect of mere good fortune.

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Data: Wikiquote (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0); English Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.