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Competition Quotes

On rivalry, self-competition, and contests both small and large.

Competition appears here at very different scales - a mayor comparing notes with neighboring cities, and the old idea that the only competition worth taking seriously is with yourself. See also Best quotes.

And what it depends on, of course, is whether the story itself is worth the ethical compromise it requires and whether the competition is onto the story.

Quotes by Roger Mudd

All the truly great players have had to demonstrate their importance and value in the most difficult competition of all.

Quotes by Roberto Baggio

The EPA could act to open the transportation-fuel market to vigorous competition from natural gas as well as coal, biomass, and trash, by legalizing methanol. This would force oil prices down, expand the economy, and create millions of jobs.

Quotes by Robert Zubrin

They demanded a monopoly of the coasting trade, in order to get higher freights than they could get in open competition with the carriers of the world.

Quotes by Robert Toombs

I think that one of the motivating factors was in my last year of law school: we had a competition, and I won the competition; it was judged by several of the federal judges at the time. I got a...

Quotes by Robert Shapiro

Just as predatory animals follow a similar general design and behave in similar ways, so organizations, especially those in competition with one another, must follow certain design principles if they are to succeed and prevail.

Quotes by Robert Shea

The public is looking for free lunches, and the political competition for votes makes the politicians offer them free lunches.

Quotes by Robert Mundell

When the government picked companies and gave them monopoly rights to frequencies in San Francisco and Los Angeles and New York and Chicago, it was picking the winners of the competition; it wasn't setting the terms of the competition.

Quotes by Robert McChesney

Out-working your competition is a lot easier to achieve if you're passionate about what you are doing.

Quotes by Robert Kraft

I believe it is still true that conflicts among major powers usually stem from geopolitical rivalries but rarely from economic competition.

Quotes by Robert Kagan

Sure, I have advice for people starting to write. Don't. I don't need the competition.

Quotes by Robert B. Parker

A good boxing competition gives one the sight of fine men in their prime, trained to the ounce, showing the highest skill, pluck and endurance in carrying out their attack and defence under strict rules of fair play and good...

Quotes by Robert Baden-Powell

I like the competition that Nextel Cup gives us. The schedule is difficult. But this is something I want to do for sure.

Quotes by Robby Gordon

With experience also comes the understanding that you have to beat the rally before you can beat the competition.

Quotes by Robby Gordon

As skateboarding evolved, it evolved away from competition. Having a best-trick contest doesn't work.

Quotes by Rob Dyrdek

I love competition.

Quotes by Rikishi

If you ever plan to run for office, if you're a teenager, remember everything you do, every tweet, every Facebook posting, every picture you put on Instagram will be there forever for journalists and politicians - for your competition to...

Quotes by Rick Smolan

The paradigm of competition is a race: by rewarding the winner, we encourage everyone to run faster. When capitalism really works this way, it does a good job; but its defenders are wrong in assuming it always works this way.

Quotes by Richard Stallman

I am much more passionate about cities than I am about nations. The competition between cities is more civilised than between nations. There is an understanding there.

Quotes by Richard Rogers

Most women prefer circles of sharing to pyramids and hierarchies. They prefer conversation to construction. They will usually choose nurturance and empathy over competition and climbing. They will normally choose connection over simple performance games.

Quotes by Richard Rohr

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the central idea in these competition quotes?
One quote reframes competition as an inward challenge rather than a rivalry with others: "The only competition worthy of a wise man is with himself." It suggests that self-improvement matters more than beating other people. For more on that mindset, see Better quotes.
Is there a quote about competition between cities or places?
Yes - one quote comes from a mayor's perspective: "Obviously as a mayor, I'm in competition with my neighboring cities as well as cities around the country," treating competition as a practical, ongoing part of local governance.
Does any quote touch on international competition?
Yes. One quote discusses the "Sino-American competition," noting it involves "two significant realities that distinguish it from the Cold War." It's presented here as a factual observation on international relations.
Is competition linked to conflict over resources in these quotes?
Yes - one quote connects the two directly, noting that conflicts, "whether those conflicts are local, whether they are regional or global," are often about "the management, the distribution of resources." It frames competition as something that can escalate when resources are scarce.
Where can I find more quotes about striving to be the best?
Take a look at Always quotes, Best quotes, and Good quotes for more on ambition and self-improvement.

A couple of quotes widen the lens further, discussing competition between nations and the resource conflicts behind many disputes. Related pages: Better quotes and Good quotes.