--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If nice guys finish last, then great guys…" description: "\"If nice guys finish last, then great guys come in right after them.\" — Edward Dyer" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/edward-dyer-34184_great-guy_if-nice-guys-finish-last-then-great-guys_513663.jpg" --- # If nice guys finish last, then great guys come in right… ![“If nice guys finish last, then great guys come in right after them.” quote by Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/edward-dyer-34184_great-guy_if-nice-guys-finish-last-then-great-guys_513663.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/edward-dyer-34184_great-guy_if-nice-guys-finish-last-then-great-guys_513663.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/edward-dyer-34184_great-guy_if-nice-guys-finish-last-then-great-guys_513663.jpg) > “If nice guys finish last, then great guys come in right after them.” [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If average people finish last, those with greater merit will soon follow, suggesting a cycle of rising excellence. **In simple terms:** Great people succeed after the average. Key Takeaway Cultivate excellence beyond mediocrity. Themes success excellence competition Mood analytical motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career advancement - academic achievement - leadership roles Key Concepts Meritocracy social mobility Questions to Reflect On - How do you identify and support emerging talent? - What barriers prevent great people from rising? A Different Perspective Not all great individuals get recognition promptly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Finish Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finish-great-4347687/) [Great guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-guy/) [Great Guys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-guys-418930/) [Guys Come](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guys-come-1148766/) [Guys Finish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guys-finish-1337585/) [Nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice/) [Nice guys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice-guys/) [Nice guys finish last](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice-guys-finish-last/) ## Related quotes > [It is decidedly not true that 'nice guys finish last'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-durocher/it-is-decidedly-not-true-that-nice-guys-finish-last/) [Leo Durocher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-durocher/) > [Nice guys finish last because they put their ladies first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nice-guys-finish-last-because-they-put-their-ladies-first/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [They say that nice guys finish last, well thank God you're a douchebag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-say-that-nice-guys-finish-last-well-thank-god-you-re-a-douchebag/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Nice guys finish last, and gay guys finish in each others ass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/nice-guys-finish-last-and-gay-guys-finish-in-each-others-ass/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [“You know, nice guys finish last, don't you?" "I guess I'll finish last.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalpa-williby/you-know-nice-guys-finish-last-don-t-you-i-guess-i-ll-finish-last/) [Jalpa Williby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jalpa-williby/) > [“The only reason nice guys finish last is because they think they’ll finish last. You don’t win the race by walking around the starting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-rowland/the-only-reason-nice-guys-finish-last-is-because-they-think-they-ll/) [Mitch Rowland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-rowland/) > [Nice guys do not finish last. Last place is for the cowards and those too full of fear to take action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/nice-guys-do-not-finish-last-last-place-is-for-the-cowards-and-those/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [Who said nice guys finish last? Nice guys finish before the race even gets started.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rev-run-2/who-said-nice-guys-finish-last-nice-guys-finish-before-the-race-even/) [Rev Run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rev-run-2/) > [It is not true that nice guys finish last. Nice guys are winners before the game even starts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-not-true-that-nice-guys-finish-last-nice-guys-are-winners/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Nice guys finish last, no fuck who ever made you feel that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-mccarty/nice-guys-finish-last-no-fuck-who-ever-made-you-feel-that-way/) [Kevin McCarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-mccarty/) > [Nice guys finish last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-durocher/nice-guys-finish-last/) [Leo Durocher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-durocher/) > [“Nice guys finish last, but in the race of life who wants to get to the finish line?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-j-wimmer/nice-guys-finish-last-but-in-the-race-of-life-who-wants-to-get-to-the/) [Brian J. Wimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-j-wimmer/) > [Nice guys finish last, but we get to sleep in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-davis/nice-guys-finish-last-but-we-get-to-sleep-in/) [Evan Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-davis/) > [Win any way as long as you can get away with it. Nice guys finish last.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-durocher/win-any-way-as-long-as-you-can-get-away-with-it-nice-guys-finish-last/) [Leo Durocher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-durocher/) > [Nice guys finish last because they make sure they put their woman first which would be fine if women didn't always take advantage of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/nice-guys-finish-last-because-they-make-sure-they-put-their-woman/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Edward Dyer > [My mind to me an empire is,While grace affordeth health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/my-mind-to-me-an-empire-is-while-grace-affordeth-health/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [My mind to me a kingdom is, Such present joys therein I find, That it excels all other bliss That earth affords or grows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/my-mind-to-me-a-kingdom-is-such-present-joys-therein-i-find-that-it/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [O liberty, Parent of happiness, celestial born When the first man became a living soul; His sacred genius thou.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/o-liberty-parent-of-happiness-celestial-born-when-the-first-man/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [My wealth is health and perfect ease; My conscience clear my chief defence; I neither seek by bribes to please, Nor by deceit to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/my-wealth-is-health-and-perfect-ease-my-conscience-clear-my-chief/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [“My mind to me a kingdom is, Such present joys therein I find, That it excels all other bliss That world affords or grows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/my-mind-to-me-a-kingdom-is-such-present-joys-therein-i-find-that-it-2/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [My mind to me a kingdom is, such present joys therein I find, that it excels all other bliss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/my-mind-to-me-a-kingdom-is-such-present-joys-therein-i-find-that-it-3/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [My Mind To Me a Kingdom Is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/my-mind-to-me-a-kingdom-is/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [True hearts have eyes and ears, no tongues to speak; They hear and see, and sigh, and then they break.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/true-hearts-have-eyes-and-ears-no-tongues-to-speak-they-hear-and-see/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [Some weigh their pleasure by their lust, Their wisdom by their rage of will, Their treasure is their only trust; And cloake' d craft…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/some-weigh-their-pleasure-by-their-lust-their-wisdom-by-their-rage-of/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [My mind to me a kingdom is; Such present joys therein I find that it excels all other bliss that earth affords or grows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/my-mind-to-me-a-kingdom-is-such-present-joys-therein-i-find-that-it-4/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [Some have too much, yet still do crave; I little have, and seek no more. They are but poor, though much they have, And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/some-have-too-much-yet-still-do-crave-i-little-have-and-seek-no-more/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [The little smiling cottage! where at eve He meets his rosy children at the door, Prattling their welcomes, and his honest wife, With good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/the-little-smiling-cottage-where-at-eve-he-meets-his-rosy-children-at/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) > [And love is love, in beggars and in kings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/and-love-is-love-in-beggars-and-in-kings/) [Edward Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) [Explore all 14 Edward Dyer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/) ## More Great guy quotes > [Tom Stafford was an odd character, you know - a brilliant guy. He looked weird and I think he took a really defensive attitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-fritts/tom-stafford-was-an-odd-character-you-know-a-brilliant-guy-he-looked/) [Donnie Fritts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-fritts/) > [I wish Elton Brand the best. He's a great guy. He's always going to be a great friend of mine, regardless of what goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-davis/i-wish-elton-brand-the-best-he-s-a-great-guy-he-s-always-going-to-be/) [Baron Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-davis/) > [There are a lot of champions out there, a lot of great guys, but I think that the way I compete and my fighting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-pettis/there-are-a-lot-of-champions-out-there-a-lot-of-great-guys-but-i/) [Anthony Pettis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-pettis/) > [“Oh, I don’t mean to infer that you’re not a great guy. I’m sure you’re the exception to the rule.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaye-frances/oh-i-don-t-mean-to-infer-that-you-re-not-a-great-guy-i-m-sure-you-re/) [Jaye Frances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaye-frances/) > [It's not hard to look great against a guy who isn't moving a lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/it-s-not-hard-to-look-great-against-a-guy-who-isn-t-moving-a-lot/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [You get up and you preach a sermon and people walk away thinking what a great guy - and that's a failure as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-harris/you-get-up-and-you-preach-a-sermon-and-people-walk-away-thinking-what/) [Joshua Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-harris/) > [Its been almost one year knoeing my bestfreind he cares we talk every night until I fall asleep Nikolas Taylor is a great guy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/destiny-taylor/its-been-almost-one-year-knoeing-my-bestfreind-he-cares-we-talk-every/) [Destiny TAYLOR](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/destiny-taylor/) > [Prince Harry is a great guy, very competitive; he's been playing polo all his life. Riding is in his blood. His grandmother loves horses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nacho-figueras/prince-harry-is-a-great-guy-very-competitive-he-s-been-playing-polo/) [Nacho Figueras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nacho-figueras/) > [It's hard to be a clubhouse guy without being a great guy. I mean, the nature of the job is, you know, you're picking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-francona/it-s-hard-to-be-a-clubhouse-guy-without-being-a-great-guy-i-mean-the/) [Terry Francona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-francona/) > [“Ally turned her attention back to Brian Byrne. "So what do you do for a living when you're not searching out your roots?" "Have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-bangs/ally-turned-her-attention-back-to-brian-byrne-so-what-do-you-do-for-a/) [Nina Bangs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-bangs/) > [You know, I've trained with a lot of great guys that have been in the sport for so long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/you-know-i-ve-trained-with-a-lot-of-great-guys-that-have-been-in-the/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [A great guy who is no longer in the league right now who is retired, Kyle Vanden Bosch, I learned a lot from him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ndamukong-suh/a-great-guy-who-is-no-longer-in-the-league-right-now-who-is-retired/) [Ndamukong Suh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ndamukong-suh/) > [A lot of respect for Ric Flair; he's just a great guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bischoff/a-lot-of-respect-for-ric-flair-he-s-just-a-great-guy/) [Eric Bischoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bischoff/) > [At Man United we had a great guy called Dave Bushell, the head of education. He was fantastic at spotting when you were down.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darren-fletcher/at-man-united-we-had-a-great-guy-called-dave-bushell-the-head-of/) [Darren Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darren-fletcher/) > [Chip Kelly, he is a great guy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desean-jackson/chip-kelly-he-is-a-great-guy/) [DeSean Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desean-jackson/) [Browse all 193 Great guy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-guy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If nice guys finish last, then great guys come in right after them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward Dyer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/if-nice-guys-finish-last-then-great-guys-come-in-right-after-them/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Great guy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/if-nice-guys-finish-last-then-great-guys-come-in-right-after-them/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/edward-dyer-34184_great-guy_if-nice-guys-finish-last-then-great-guys_513663.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/edward-dyer-34184_great-guy_if-nice-guys-finish-last-then-great-guys_513663.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cbc/edward-dyer-34184_great-guy_if-nice-guys-finish-last-then-great-guys_513663.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If nice guys finish last, then great guys come in right after them.” — Edward Dyer", "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": "Edward Dyer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-dyer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If nice guys finish last, then...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/if-nice-guys-finish-last-then-great-guys-come-in-right-after-them/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-dyer/if-nice-guys-finish-last-then-great-guys-come-in-right-after-them/#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 } } ] } ```