--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Even after the greatest defeats, the…" description: "\"Even after the greatest defeats, the depressing thought of being a failure is best combated by taking stock of all your past achievements.\" — Hans Selye" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c43/hans-selye-17189_achievement_even-after-the-greatest-defeats-the-depr_830094.png" --- # Even after the greatest defeats, the depressing thought of… ![“Even after the greatest defeats, the depressing thought of being a failure is best combated by taking stock of all your past achievements.” quote by Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c43/hans-selye-17189_achievement_even-after-the-greatest-defeats-the-depr_830094.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c43/hans-selye-17189_achievement_even-after-the-greatest-defeats-the-depr_830094.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c43/hans-selye-17189_achievement_even-after-the-greatest-defeats-the-depr_830094.png) > “Even after the greatest defeats, the depressing thought of being a failure is best combated by taking stock of all your past achievements.” [Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reflecting on past successes counters the negative self‑image that follows defeat, restoring confidence and motivation. **In simple terms:** Remembering achievements fights feelings of failure. Key Takeaway Recall past wins to boost self‑esteem. Themes resilience self‑esteem motivation Mood reflective encouraging Type advice motivational When to use this quote - career setbacks - personal loss - academic failure - health challenges Key Concepts psychology self‑reflection Questions to Reflect On - What achievements can you list now? - How can you turn past successes into future plans? A Different Perspective Success recall may overlook underlying issues needing address. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Achievement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/achievement/) [Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat/) [Depressing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depressing/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Our past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-past/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Your past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-past/) ## Related quotes > [Wherever the ignorant triumphs, over there the greatest defeats are on the way!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/wherever-the-ignorant-triumphs-over-there-the-greatest-defeats-are-on/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [It's difficult for the public to realize how powerful the mind is, and how much pain the mind can give you. 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Chance is a lady who smiles only upon those few who know how to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-selye/the-element-of-chance-in-basic-research-is-overrated-chance-is-a-lady/) [Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) > [To remain healthy a man must have some goal, some purpose in life that he can respect and be proud to work for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-selye/to-remain-healthy-a-man-must-have-some-goal-some-purpose-in-life-that/) [Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) > [Leaders are leaders only as long as they have the respect and loyalty of their followers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-selye/leaders-are-leaders-only-as-long-as-they-have-the-respect-and-loyalty/) [Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) > [Stress is the spice of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-selye/stress-is-the-spice-of-life/) [Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) > [Stress, in addition to being itself, was also the cause of itself, and the result of itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-selye/stress-in-addition-to-being-itself-was-also-the-cause-of-itself-and/) [Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) > [Stress is not necessarily something bad it all depends on how you take it. 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'Intellectual Immorality No.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-selye/random-search-for-data-on-off-chance-is-hardly-scientific-a/) [Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) [Explore all 37 Hans Selye quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) ## More Achievement quotes > [You, of Canada, are building a magnificent record of achievement. My country rejoices in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/you-of-canada-are-building-a-magnificent-record-of-achievement-my/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [“If attempting to make the world a civilized one, makes you a bad woman in the eyes of the dumb patriarchal society, then, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/if-attempting-to-make-the-world-a-civilized-one-makes-you-a-bad-woman/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [One achieves true human dignity only when one serves. 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