Chen Shui-bian Quotes

Winning and losing have their significance in a democracy. But there should be no arrogance in victory, nor should there be any despondency in defeat.

I would like to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his display of statesmanship in setting a precedent for us that has now made our people proud to be Nigerians wherever they are.

A dose of humility goes a long way in life and in politics.

Writers have told me more than once that I'm a better interview in defeat than in victory, which is a compliment I am extremely proud of.

The people of the United States have made their choice, and of course I accept that decision—but I have to admit not with the same enthusiasm that I accepted the decision four years ago.

In war: resolution. In defeat: defiance. In victory: magnanimity.

He didn't get enough votes.

Do not completely defeat your opponents. Leave your opponents some dignity with which to walk off the field. They have been elected by some people and you have no right to dismember them… When you do that, you lose all semblance of leadership.

If the election had been held on October 27, I would be your President.

I am the first to admit that I am not the greatest campaign strategist or political analyst.

I recognize that as the guy who lost the election, I'm not in a position to tell everybody else how to win, all right? They're not going to listen, and I don't have the credibility to do that anyway.

I learnt my lessons very early on that it's probably a good thing to be humble in victory as well as defeat.

Personally, I don't think about the things I have won but the things I have lost.

While I am deeply sensible to the high compliment of a re-election; and duly grateful, as I trust, to Almighty God for having directed my countrymen to a right conclusion, as I think, for their own good, it adds nothing to my satisfaction that any other man may be disappointed or pained by the result.

Let me not be so vain to think that I'm the sole author of my victories and a victim of my defeats.

What's mostly left after a match? The scenes in front of the goal where the attackers are the highlights of the play. But doing the spectacular is not particularly important to me. I just want to play for my team.

Before being CM, I am a human.

All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power. If you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them. The Master is above the people, and no one feels oppressed. She goes ahead of the people, and no one feels manipulated. The whole world is grateful to her. Because she competes with no one, no one can compete with her.

I would never want to pass a law limiting freedom of speech, but that doesn't mean we have to condone statements that undermine basic national unity and respect. Imagine being asked to defend a country where some citizens say the man in the White House isn't their president. Or a major presidential contender accuses the commander in chief of not even being a U.S. citizen. Those kinds of statements erode trust in our democracy, and it's up to both parties to publicly reject them. We have to restore confidence that we are a nation that loves and believes in itself.

There is no mat space for malcontents or dissenters. One must neither celebrate insanely when he wins, nor sulk when he loses. He accepts victory professionally, humbly; he hates defeat, but makes no poor display of it.

I like to say I'm not a hero. I was lucky enough to lead a very successful war.

The victory of Mr. Kostunica will be a reality.

Defeats are always pitiful. Victories are always last resources.

I've found that South Africa has produced good leaders. These are people who realize that when there is danger, they should be in the forefront and when there is victory to be celebrated, they should be in the background, allowing their colleagues and the ordinary civilians - the man in the street - to rejoice and to celebrate that victory.

I had rather complain of ill-fortune than be ashamed of victory.