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Defeat quotes

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“A man can be destroyed but not defeated.” Ernest Hemingway, “The Old Man and the Sea” - 1952

“To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.” Sun Tzu, “The Art of War” - 5th century BC

“It was like trying to make a move at chess when you were already mated.” George Orwell, “1984” - 1949

“the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.” Sun Tzu, “The Art of War” - 5th century BC

“In any case you mustn't confuse a single failure with a final defeat.” F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Tender Is the Night” - 1934

“A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser.” William Shakespeare, “Henry IV, Part 2” - 1600

“He had an idea that even when beaten he could steal a little victory by laughing at defeat.” John Steinbeck, “East of Eden” - 1952

“So cowards fight when they can fly no further; so doves do peck the falcon's piercing talons; so desperate thieves, all hopeless of their lives, breathe out invectives 'gainst the officers.” William Shakespeare, “Henry VI, Part 3” - 1595

“The problem for us was to move forward to a decisive victory, or our cause was lost.” Ulysses S. Grant, “Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant” - 1885

“There are defeats more triumphant than victories.” Michel de Montaigne, “The Essays of Michel de Montaigne” - 1580

“An army without culture is a dull-witted army, and a dull-witted army cannot defeat the enemy.” Mao Zedong, “Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung” - 1964

“The ugly and the stupid have the best of it in this world. They can sit at their ease and gape at the play. If they know nothing of victory, they are at least spared the knowledge of defeat.” Oscar Wilde, “The Picture of Dorian Gray” - 1890

“It might be that to surrender to happiness was to accept defeat, but it was a defeat better than many victories.” W. Somerset Maugham, “Of Human Bondage” - 1915

“The enemy had been much demoralized by his defeats at Champion's Hill and the Big Black, and I believed he would not make much effort to hold Vicksburg.” Ulysses S. Grant, “Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant” - 1885

“To keep dignity, and give honor where it’s due, so that defeat is not disgrace.” Orson Scott Card, “Ender's Game” - 1985

“It was Twelfth Night, and the Saxons, who in these days of torment refreshed and fortified themselves by celebrating the feasts of the Church, were off their guard, engaged in pious exercises, or perhaps even drunk. Down swept the ravaging foe....” Winston Churchill, “A History of the English-Speaking Peoples” - 1956

Related topics

victory war weakness happiness stupidity man bravery honor dignity opportunity battle peace laughter conquest enemy destruction army chess ugliness triumph

Related authors

William Shakespeare (2)
Ulysses S. Grant (2)
Sun Tzu (2)
Oscar Wilde (1)
Ernest Hemingway (1)
F. Scott Fitzgerald (1)
George Orwell (1)
Winston Churchill (1)
W. Somerset Maugham (1)
Michel de Montaigne (1)
John Steinbeck (1)
Mao Zedong (1)
Orson Scott Card (1)

Related sources

Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant (2)
The Art of War (2)
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1)
Henry IV, Part 2 (1)
The Old Man and the Sea (1)
Henry VI, Part 3 (1)
1984 (1)
A History of the English-Speaking Peoples (1)
Of Human Bondage (1)
The Essays of Michel de Montaigne (1)
East of Eden (1)
Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung (1)
Ender's Game (1)
Tender Is the Night (1)