Do not therefore pull yourself up with vain-glory about the trifling advantages of a poor victory.

I would prefer even to fail with honor than to win by cheating.

Well, I'd rather be unhappy than have the sort of false, lying happiness you were having here.

It is far better to dare mighty triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to dwell with those poor and timid souls knowing neither victory nor defeat.

...but if virtue were the wealth that is held in high esteem, I would not envy the fortunes of others or weep for my own misfortunes.

An honorable defeat is better than a dishonorable victory.

Prefer to be defeated in the presence of the wise than to excel among fools.

It might be that to surrender to happiness was to accept defeat, but it was a defeat better than many victories.

I had rather seem mad and a sluggard, so that my defects are agreeable to myself, or that I am not pinfully conscious of them, than be wise, and chaptious.

I had much more fun criticizing than praising.

When successful, we would not have to thank the state for our success. And, conversely, when unsuccessful, we would no more think of blaming the state for our misfortune than would the farmers blame the state because of hail or frost.

…misfortune was much more interesting to her than good luck.

I'd rather be an optimist and a fool than a pessimist and right.

I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.