Saturday, February 21, 2009

PAUSE AND PONDER : SL. 3

PAUSE AND PONDER : 3


“There are some defeats more triumphant than victories .”

– Michel de Montaigne

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Different people look at a game from different directions. Depending on the parameters one is watching and the result one is expecting, the win and defeats are branded. Even when we look at fairly accepted ways of results the meaning it gives can also be different. A loss to Brazil by one goal margin in football is great for India. Again leaving a seat in a bus or train may be a loss as it looks, but a great win for spirit. The loss of Jatayu of the Ramayana is a great win for people who fight for right cause in spite of unfavorable result. It happens so because of difference in parameters or plain or angle by different people. But that's how it is for we cannot see everything from our limited prospective as human beings.

Anonymous said...

Oh thx a ton, Sambit . I always look forward to your comments for value add or simply for the comfort of knowing that others are also there. who are on the same wave length.
Actually, I am reminded of this quote anytime I find someone conquering the fear of failure. This time, this occurred to me when I saw an episode of "Dance India Dance" in which a fairly fat girl has already made it to the top 18, very agile and talented , and with just the right attitudes. She said, so what I am obese - I love dancing and can make it ! Ultimately, she may or may not win this particular competition - the chances of the later being much higher; but, to me she already is a winner - she has truimphed over her physical inadequacies, her fear of failure !!
Yes, I agree with your views - it all depends on how you define these terms. Acts of nobility, out of love, care, concern and respect; AND acts of courage in winning over the fears of failure, ridicule, uncertainty etc. as well as acts of courage in standing up for righteousness also lead to so-called "defeats" , which are more triumphant than actual victories.Thinking of Puru Vrs Alexander / Christ on the Cross !!

Anonymous said...

The quotation “There are some defeats more triumphant than victories” do indicate glory does not lie in the victory alone. Defeats could be more glorious than actual victories. As Sambit commented, there are so many examples wherein we can find glorified defeats. In fact, defeat and victory has no particular definition. These things are purely circumstantial or conditional. If we ignore the circumstances or particular conditions then we can’t differentiate victory from defeat or defeat from victory.
To me, victory is something when we put our best and are satisfied with our performance. At that time, the solace comes from the inner-self that I have done my best and that is the real victory, even if I am actually defeated. We can term it “Glorified Defeat”.
DEBA

Anonymous said...

Thx, Deba - for joining. Yeah... these r the special kind of "defeats" in which lay glorious victories! Hey, while I capture & agree with what u r trying to say at the end... I would like to put it as " glorious defeat" rather than " glorified defeat" as the latter has a ring of negative connotation which would mean "unduly" glorifying a defeat . Thx again - great to have such deep insights.

veera said...

my kid is just learning to spin the top and he is not as good at it as the kids here are. yesterday he came home after a game of spinning the top with the kids and casually said "mom you know i lost thrice today but i enjoyed the game so much. "Wining or losing did nt matter to him, playing did. by the way, he can spin the top very well now.

Anonymous said...

That's the spirit . Yeah.. kids usually possess that in abundance .. till they often lose it as they grow up and start learning the wrong lessons in conforming to the so-called "normal" ways of life !! Thanks Veera, for joining - I know how busy u r these days !

Anonymous said...

Wish the folks living in this wide world could understand that victory is not everything. I read that god of victory has one hand and peace gives victory to both the sides.

Anonymous said...

Hi, there - that's wonderful - god of victory has one hand and god of peace has two hands ( win:win for both sides )! Yeah. Thx for dropping by .