--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is better to be defeated on principle…" description: "\"It is better to be defeated on principle than to win on lies.\" — Arthur Calwell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/049/arthur-calwell-104603_athlete_it-is-better-to-be-defeated-on-principle_957320.jpg" --- # It is better to be defeated on principle than to win on… ![“It is better to be defeated on principle than to win on lies.” quote by Arthur Calwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/049/arthur-calwell-104603_athlete_it-is-better-to-be-defeated-on-principle_957320.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/049/arthur-calwell-104603_athlete_it-is-better-to-be-defeated-on-principle_957320.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/049/arthur-calwell-104603_athlete_it-is-better-to-be-defeated-on-principle_957320.jpg) > “It is better to be defeated on principle than to win on lies.” [Arthur Calwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-calwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates preferring principled defeat over dishonest victory. **In simple terms:** Choose principle over lying wins. Key Takeaway Uphold principles, even when costly. Themes integrity principle honesty ethics Mood reflective serious Type Athlete:0 Defeated:0 Lying:0 Principles:1 Winning:0 Principle Win:0 Win Lies:0 Defeated Principle:0 Better Defeated:0 When to use this quote - politics - personal conflict - career choices Key Concepts moral philosophy political ethics Questions to Reflect On - Is it worth compromising values for success? - When have you faced this dilemma? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete/) [Better Defeated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-defeated-1747222/) [Defeated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeated/) [Defeated Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeated-principle-1747221/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Principle Win](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle-win-1111412/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Win Lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/win-lies-1747220/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [It is better to be defeated standing for a high principle than to run by committing subterfuge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grover-cleveland/it-is-better-to-be-defeated-standing-for-a-high-principle-than-to-run/) [Grover Cleveland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grover-cleveland/) > [I've distilled everything to one simple principle: win or die!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-close/i-ve-distilled-everything-to-one-simple-principle-win-or-die/) [Glenn Close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-close/) > [Marquise de Merteuil: I've distilled every thing to one single principle: win or die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/marquise-de-merteuil-i-ve-distilled-every-thing-to-one-single/) [Pierre Choderlos de Laclos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/) > [If we succeed with something, that is only because others are in need of what e have produced. 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