--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This victory alone is not the change we…" description: "\"This victory alone is not the change we seek; it is only the chance for us to make that change.\" — Barack Obama" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c0/barack-obama-17_chance_this-victory-alone-is-not-the-change-we_1140220.jpg" --- # This victory alone is not the change we seek; it is only… ![“This victory alone is not the change we seek; it is only the chance for us to make that change.” quote by Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c0/barack-obama-17_chance_this-victory-alone-is-not-the-change-we_1140220.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c0/barack-obama-17_chance_this-victory-alone-is-not-the-change-we_1140220.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c0/barack-obama-17_chance_this-victory-alone-is-not-the-change-we_1140220.jpg) > “This victory alone is not the change we seek; it is only the chance for us to make that change.” [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A single victory is a step toward broader change, not the final outcome. **In simple terms:** Victory is a chance for further change. Key Takeaway Use wins as momentum for larger goals. Themes politics progress activism Mood inspirational determined Type political motivational When to use this quote - elections - policy reforms - community organizing Key Concepts leadership social change strategic planning Questions to Reflect On - What change will you pursue after a win? - How can you keep momentum alive? A Different Perspective One win can breed complacency if not followed by action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Victory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victory/) ## Related quotes > [“The biggest victory they can have is to change our lives. I am going to carry on exactly as before. Anything else is allowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-f-hamilton/the-biggest-victory-they-can-have-is-to-change-our-lives-i-am-going/) [Peter F. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-f-hamilton/) > [Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/change-will-not-come-if-we-wait-for-some-other-person-or-if-we-wait/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/change-will-not-come-if-we-wait-for-some-other-person-or-some-other/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“We need to name the issue. What are the practical steps? Many steps have much in common. •Be clearly aware of the specific. •Remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-mason-john/we-need-to-name-the-issue-what-are-the-practical-steps-many-steps/) [Valerie Mason-John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-mason-john/) > [“Situations can change; people can change. Be the first to seek to bring good. Do not grow accustomed to evil, but defeat it with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/situations-can-change-people-can-change-be-the-first-to-seek-to-bring/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [We all fear change, even as we seek it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-lerner/we-all-fear-change-even-as-we-seek-it/) [Harriet Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-lerner/) > [“We are the change we seek.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/we-are-the-change-we-seek/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“People interested in change and personal development need larger and larger environments in which to live. Their views expand. Their perspectives broaden. Their interests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-goodier/people-interested-in-change-and-personal-development-need-larger-and/) [Steve Goodier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-goodier/) > [“Be the change, you seek from society”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kandarp-gandhi/be-the-change-you-seek-from-society/) [Kandarp Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kandarp-gandhi/) > [Be the change you seek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/be-the-change-you-seek/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“Going through the motions might get the job done, but the change we seek cannot be defined by a checkmark on some to-do list.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marta-mrotek/going-through-the-motions-might-get-the-job-done-but-the-change-we/) [Marta Mrotek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marta-mrotek/) > [As we search for change and seek for our voices to be heard, completing the census will help get us the resources we need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mccourty/as-we-search-for-change-and-seek-for-our-voices-to-be-heard/) [Jason McCourty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mccourty/) > [Our job is to make change. Our job is to connect to people, to interact with them in a way that leaves them better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/our-job-is-to-make-change-our-job-is-to-connect-to-people-to-interact/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Take a stand for what's right. Raise a ruckus and make a change. You may not always be popular, but you'll be part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-l-jackson/take-a-stand-for-what-s-right-raise-a-ruckus-and-make-a-change-you/) [Samuel L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-l-jackson/) > [“You must not allow the hurt of the past to haunt or hinder you from fulfilling and performing your duties as one who has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/you-must-not-allow-the-hurt-of-the-past-to-haunt-or-hinder-you-from/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) ## More by Barack Obama > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of our democracy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-peaceful-transition-of-power-is-one-of-the-hallmarks-of-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [As opposed to getting into arguments about, well, these folks have been treated fairly so now we're going to be doing things that, very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/as-opposed-to-getting-into-arguments-about-well-these-folks-have-been/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Donald Trump is temperamentally unfit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/donald-trump-is-temperamentally-unfit/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [What we've said to the girls is: 'If you guys ever decide that you're going to get a tattoo, then mommy and me will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/what-we-ve-said-to-the-girls-is-if-you-guys-ever-decide-that-you-re/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Nobody is listening to your telephone calls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/nobody-is-listening-to-your-telephone-calls/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/all-of-us-take-offense-to-anyone-who-reaps-the-rewards-of-living-in/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The world is complicated and full of grays, but there's still truth there to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-world-is-complicated-and-full-of-grays-but-there-s-still-truth/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ That is another theme in the book \[Dreams from My Father\]. How do we exercise more empathy in our public discourse? How do we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-another-theme-in-the-book-dreams-from-my-father-how-do-we/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I can say across Europe that many principles that have been taken for granted here around free speech, and around civil liberties and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-can-say-across-europe-that-many-principles-that-have-been-taken-for/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I want to thank the Greek people publicly for their humanitarian response to the crisis of so many migrants and refugees seeking safety in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-want-to-thank-the-greek-people-publicly-for-their-humanitarian/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We had a farewell dinner for some of my senior staff, and generally everybody likes to talk about how cool I was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-had-a-farewell-dinner-for-some-of-my-senior-staff-and-generally/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ It's good to get fresh legs in \[the White house\]. I think that it refreshes our democracy. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/it-s-good-to-get-fresh-legs-in-the-white-house-i-think-that-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Believe it or not, entertainment is part of our American diplomacy, it is part of what makes us exceptional, part of what makes us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/believe-it-or-not-entertainment-is-part-of-our-american-diplomacy-it/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) [Explore all 3,624 Barack Obama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More Chance quotes > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I understand it's promotion, but no one ever gave me a chance. No one ever thought I'd be the champ, and look where I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stipe-miocic/i-understand-it-s-promotion-but-no-one-ever-gave-me-a-chance-no-one/) [Stipe Miocic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stipe-miocic/) > [I might, by chance, write something just as shoddy; But then I wouldn't show it to everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/i-might-by-chance-write-something-just-as-shoddy-but-then-i-wouldn-t/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I have heard that if you pull a bent breath through the second hole of a harmonica tuned to the key of Georgia while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-wakefield/i-have-heard-that-if-you-pull-a-bent-breath-through-the-second-hole/) [Buddy Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-wakefield/) > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [Love changes people, for better or for worse. You could look at it as a chance for you to change. The best kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-changes-people-for-better-or-for-worse-you-could-look-at-it-as-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It's not who, it's when”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-taubas/it-s-not-who-it-s-when/) Alejandro Taubas > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I thought my first few jobs would just be off, off, off, off, off broadway. And by chance and how the world works, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-dorfman/i-thought-my-first-few-jobs-would-just-be-off-off-off-off-off/) [Tommy Dorfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-dorfman/) > [If you’re worrying about the past, you’ve got a good chance of screwing up the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-a-tullman/if-you-re-worrying-about-the-past-you-ve-got-a-good-chance-of/) [Howard A. Tullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-a-tullman/) > [To be successful, one must take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-stargell/to-be-successful-one-must-take-chances/) [Willie Stargell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-stargell/) [Browse all 12,460 Chance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "This victory alone is not the change we seek; it is only the chance for us to make that change.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Barack Obama" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/this-victory-alone-is-not-the-change-we-seek-it-is-only-the-chance/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/this-victory-alone-is-not-the-change-we-seek-it-is-only-the-chance/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c0/barack-obama-17_chance_this-victory-alone-is-not-the-change-we_1140220.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c0/barack-obama-17_chance_this-victory-alone-is-not-the-change-we_1140220.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c0/barack-obama-17_chance_this-victory-alone-is-not-the-change-we_1140220.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This victory alone is not the change we seek; it is only the chance for us to make that change.” — Barack Obama", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Barack Obama", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "This victory alone is not the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/this-victory-alone-is-not-the-change-we-seek-it-is-only-the-chance/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/this-victory-alone-is-not-the-change-we-seek-it-is-only-the-chance/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```