Quotes About Competition

Remember: there are always people out there who are more aggressive, more devious, more ruthless than you are, and it is inevitable that some of them will cross your path.

Everybody steals in commerce and industry. I've stolen a lot myself. But I know how to steal. Thomas Edison, 1847-1931

hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them.

he will replace you with someone less intelligent, less attractive, less threatening

We are entering a world in which we can rely less and less upon the state, the corporation, or family or friends to help and protect us. It is a globalized, harshly competitive environment. We must learn to develop ourselves.

Knowing about your rival is critical. Use spies to gather valuable information that will keep you a step ahead. Better still: Play the spy yourself. In polite social encounters, learn to probe. Ask indirect questions to get people to reveal their weaknesses and intentions. There is no occasion that is not an opportunity for artful spying.

Those who seek to achieve things should show no mercy. Kautilya, Indian philosopher third century B.C.

People who accuse you of being unfair, for example, who try to make you feel guilty, who talk about justice and morality, are trying to gain an advantage on the chessboard.

If people with natural gifts also possess a good work ethic and have some luck in life, envy will follow them wherever they go.

Monopolies often turn inward and destroy themselves from the internal pressure.

One master said, "He doesn't just look for the best move. He looks for the move that will disturb the man he is playing.

Elevate yourself above the battlefield.

If you have no enemies, find a way to make them

So even when luck has only a minor influence on performance, the most talented and hardworking of all contestants will usually be outdone by a rival who is almost as talented and hardworking but also considerably luckier.

The only thing you can be sure of, Herr March, is that - whoever wins - still standing when the smoke of battle clears will be the banks of the cantons of Switzerland.

It is in the nature of things that not all politicians can achieve greatness.

the struggle [for existence] almost invariably will be most severe between the individuals of the same species, for they frequent the same districts, require the same food, and are exposed to the same dangers. CHARLES DARWIN, On the Origin of Species (1859)

Whether the bear beats the wolf or the wolf beats the bear, the rabbit always loses.

the wolf may fight the bear but the rabbit always looses

When the fishmongers are all buying at the same price, you can bet they were all drinking at the same inn last night.

Yamada might be a good general—Mat did not know—but he had never stood a chance against Riselle and that marvelous bosom.

I never thought swords were much use—even if you have the skill, child, there are always men who have as much, and a deal more strength

The whole day of Bel Tine would be taken up with singing and dancing and feasting, with time out for footraces, and contests in almost everything. Prizes would be given not only in archery, but for the best with the sling, and the quarterstaff. There would be contests at solving riddles and puzzles, at the rope tug, and lifting and tossing weights, prizes for the best singer, the best dancer and the best fiddle player, for the quickest to shear a sheep, even the best at bowls, and at darts.

we are the hare, and it is the hounds who dictate the chase.