--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Success in life comes not from holding a…" description: "\"Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well.\" — Denis Waitley" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/denis-waitley-977_football_success-in-life-comes-not-from-holding-a_2676629.jpg" --- # Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but in… ![“Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well.” quote by Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/denis-waitley-977_football_success-in-life-comes-not-from-holding-a_2676629.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/denis-waitley-977_football_success-in-life-comes-not-from-holding-a_2676629.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/denis-waitley-977_football_success-in-life-comes-not-from-holding-a_2676629.jpg) > “Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well.” [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success depends more on skillful handling of limited resources than on having abundant advantages. **In simple terms:** Skillful use of what you have leads to success. Key Takeaway Make the most of limited opportunities. Themes resourcefulness resilience strategy Mood determined pragmatic Type motivational practical When to use this quote - career setbacks - financial constraints - health challenges - entrepreneurial ventures Key Concepts probability risk management adaptability Questions to Reflect On - How can you improve your approach to limited resources? - What habits help you thrive with less? A Different Perspective Even a poor hand can be wasted without proper strategy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Success in life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success-in-life/) ## Related quotes > [The game of life is not so much in holding a good hand as playing a poor hand well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-t-leslie/the-game-of-life-is-not-so-much-in-holding-a-good-hand-as-playing-a/) H.T. Leslie > [Sometimes it's about playing a poor hand well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-tartt/sometimes-it-s-about-playing-a-poor-hand-well/) [Donna Tartt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-tartt/) > [Life is not always a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-not-always-a-matter-of-holding-good-cards-but-sometimes/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/life-is-not-a-matter-of-holding-good-cards-but-of-playing-a-poor-hand/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand as well.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/life-is-not-a-matter-of-holding-good-cards-but-sometimes-playing-a/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [Success in life isn't only for the gifted or the privileged or those with a high IQ. Success is totally dependent on three things:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/success-in-life-isn-t-only-for-the-gifted-or-the-privileged-or-those/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [When I play, I stare at the left hand of whoever is playing lead. And I get to know what people are playing well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/butch-trucks/when-i-play-i-stare-at-the-left-hand-of-whoever-is-playing-lead-and-i/) [Butch Trucks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/butch-trucks/) > [Reason is a poor hand at prophecies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-townsend-warner/reason-is-a-poor-hand-at-prophecies/) [Sylvia Townsend Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-townsend-warner/) > [“Isn't there a statute of limitation on playing the poor abused victim?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-willingham/isn-t-there-a-statute-of-limitation-on-playing-the-poor-abused-victim/) [Bill Willingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-willingham/) > [I should never have made my success in life if I had not bestowed upon the least thing I have ever undertaken the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-should-never-have-made-my-success-in-life-if-i-had-not-bestowed/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I will judge my success in life by how many people feel safe enough to cry in my arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-will-judge-my-success-in-life-by-how-many-people-feel-safe-enough/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Imagine if your success in life is determined only by your guts, your hard work, and your willpower, and not by the wealth of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-ng/imagine-if-your-success-in-life-is-determined-only-by-your-guts-your/) [Andrew Ng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-ng/) > [My dad was my best friend. I worshipped him. All of my success in life really comes from him. He believed that you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-j-cannell/my-dad-was-my-best-friend-i-worshipped-him-all-of-my-success-in-life/) [Stephen J. Cannell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-j-cannell/) > [The prime necessities for success in life are money, athleticism, tailor made clothes and a charming smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/the-prime-necessities-for-success-in-life-are-money-athleticism/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [Part of the secret of success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/part-of-the-secret-of-success-in-life-is-to-eat-what-you-like-and-let/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) ## More by Denis Waitley > [Self-respect and a clear conscience are powerful components of integrity and are the basis for enriching your relationships with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/self-respect-and-a-clear-conscience-are-powerful-components-of/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Optimism boosts your energy and focuses your sights on reaching your goals, rather than wallowing in your setbacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/optimism-boosts-your-energy-and-focuses-your-sights-on-reaching-your/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [You can only do good if you feel good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/you-can-only-do-good-if-you-feel-good/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Life is self-fulfilling prophecy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/life-is-self-fulfilling-prophecy/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [There never was a winner, who wasn't a beginner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/there-never-was-a-winner-who-wasn-t-a-beginner/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The greatest limitations you will ever face will be those you place on yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-greatest-limitations-you-will-ever-face-will-be-those-you-place/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The easiest thing is to make sure you feel happy and satisfied in this moment. Setting long term goals is much more effort taking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-easiest-thing-is-to-make-sure-you-feel-happy-and-satisfied-in/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [You must get money to chase you, but never let it catch up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/you-must-get-money-to-chase-you-but-never-let-it-catch-up/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Contentment is for cows; a challenging purpose is for people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/contentment-is-for-cows-a-challenging-purpose-is-for-people/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The season for enjoying the fullness of life - partaking of the harvest, sharing the harvest with others, and reinvesting and saving portions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-season-for-enjoying-the-fullness-of-life-partaking-of-the-harvest/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Goals are like stepping-stones to the stars. They should never be used to put a ceiling or a limit on achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/goals-are-like-stepping-stones-to-the-stars-they-should-never-be-used/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The two greatest fear busters are knowledge and action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-two-greatest-fear-busters-are-knowledge-and-action/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Positive self-expectancy is the first, most outwardly identifiable quality of a top-achieving, winning human being. Positive self-expectancy is pure and simple optimism: real enthusiasm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/positive-self-expectancy-is-the-first-most-outwardly-identifiable/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The seeds of greatness are ideas you learn from people who've been great in their service to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-seeds-of-greatness-are-ideas-you-learn-from-people-who-ve-been/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [Discipline is doing within, while you do without.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/discipline-is-doing-within-while-you-do-without/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) [Explore all 316 Denis Waitley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) ## More Football quotes > [When I came to Chelsea, it was clear that, like many other players, I would first be loaned out. So I went to Belgium…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorgan-hazard/when-i-came-to-chelsea-it-was-clear-that-like-many-other-players-i/) [Thorgan Hazard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorgan-hazard/) > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [There are guys who play lacrosse, and there are lacrosse players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-mundorf/there-are-guys-who-play-lacrosse-and-there-are-lacrosse-players/) Brendan Mundorf > [Giggs is the realest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kaluuya/giggs-is-the-realest/) [Daniel Kaluuya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kaluuya/) > [You get a new coach; you do things a little differently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archie-manning/you-get-a-new-coach-you-do-things-a-little-differently/) [Archie Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archie-manning/) > [You gotta have a little kid in you to play football.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-edwards/you-gotta-have-a-little-kid-in-you-to-play-football/) [Herman Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-edwards/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [My team mates are fundamental for my characteristics, if they send in crosses I can play inside the area.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/filippo-inzaghi/my-team-mates-are-fundamental-for-my-characteristics-if-they-send-in/) [Filippo Inzaghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/filippo-inzaghi/) > [The Copa del Rey is a different competition. It is football in its purest form and is different from the continuity of the league.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-laudrup/the-copa-del-rey-is-a-different-competition-it-is-football-in-its/) [Michael Laudrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-laudrup/) > [“Wild card, got it," Duncan said. "Just like in Crazy Eights. I can be a diamond; I can be a spade. Whatever you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-healy/wild-card-got-it-duncan-said-just-like-in-crazy-eights-i-can-be-a/) [Christopher Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-healy/) > [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Denis Waitley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/success-in-life-comes-not-from-holding-a-good-hand-but-in-playing-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Football" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/success-in-life-comes-not-from-holding-a-good-hand-but-in-playing-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/denis-waitley-977_football_success-in-life-comes-not-from-holding-a_2676629.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/denis-waitley-977_football_success-in-life-comes-not-from-holding-a_2676629.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dad/denis-waitley-977_football_success-in-life-comes-not-from-holding-a_2676629.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Success in life comes not from holding a good hand, but in playing a poor hand well.” — Denis Waitley", "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": "Denis Waitley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Success in life comes not from...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/success-in-life-comes-not-from-holding-a-good-hand-but-in-playing-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/success-in-life-comes-not-from-holding-a-good-hand-but-in-playing-a/#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 } } ] } ```