--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Yes, it's a competitive world, but where…" description: "\"Yes, it's a competitive world, but where is your heart?\" — Henri Nouwen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e81/henri-nouwen-600_competitive_yes-it-s-a-competitive-world-but-where-i_2688952.png" --- # Yes, it's a competitive world, but where is your heart? ![“Yes, it's a competitive world, but where is your heart?” quote by Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e81/henri-nouwen-600_competitive_yes-it-s-a-competitive-world-but-where-i_2688952.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e81/henri-nouwen-600_competitive_yes-it-s-a-competitive-world-but-where-i_2688952.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e81/henri-nouwen-600_competitive_yes-it-s-a-competitive-world-but-where-i_2688952.png) > “Yes, it's a competitive world, but where is your heart?” [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Competition is natural, but passion guides purpose. **In simple terms:** Heart matters more than competition. Key Takeaway Follow what truly moves you. Themes purpose competition inner calling Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career choice - artistic pursuit - volunteering - personal relationships Key Concepts Motivation values Questions to Reflect On - What does your heart desire beyond winning? - Can you balance ambition with authenticity? A Different Perspective Competitive pressure can drown inner voice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competitive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competitive/) [Competitive World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competitive-world-623871/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-heart/) [Yes Competitive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yes-competitive-2641529/) ## Related quotes > [In this competitive world full of people trying to get past everyone else. Be kind be humble and try only to do better than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/in-this-competitive-world-full-of-people-trying-to-get-past-everyone/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [A competitive world offers two possibilities. You can lose. Or, if you want to win, you can change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-thurow/a-competitive-world-offers-two-possibilities-you-can-lose-or-if-you/) [Lester Thurow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-thurow/) > [The Premier League's the most competitive in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-barkley/the-premier-league-s-the-most-competitive-in-the-world/) [Ross Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-barkley/) > [It's extremely difficult to come across quality material. It's a competitive world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romany-malco/it-s-extremely-difficult-to-come-across-quality-material-it-s-a/) [Romany Malco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romany-malco/) > [Hollywood is a fast-paced, competitive world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-henderson/hollywood-is-a-fast-paced-competitive-world/) [Josh Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-henderson/) > [It's a very competitive world out there. The competitive spirit is fine within limits. But it shouldn't drown the sheer joy of the game…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiger-shroff/it-s-a-very-competitive-world-out-there-the-competitive-spirit-is/) [Tiger Shroff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiger-shroff/) > [No matter what an individual decides to become, hard work and determination is very important in today's competitive world. You may also encounter hardships…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-monaghan/no-matter-what-an-individual-decides-to-become-hard-work-and/) [Tom Monaghan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-monaghan/) > [In a competitive world, not everybody can follow the pace; you will leave people out. We now accept that we must take care of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arsene-wenger/in-a-competitive-world-not-everybody-can-follow-the-pace-you-will/) [Arsene Wenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arsene-wenger/) > [I also think we live in a competitive world, and I love competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arsene-wenger/i-also-think-we-live-in-a-competitive-world-and-i-love-competition/) [Arsene Wenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arsene-wenger/) > [I think we live in a very competitive world, and I love competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arsene-wenger/i-think-we-live-in-a-very-competitive-world-and-i-love-competition/) [Arsene Wenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arsene-wenger/) > [It's a finite and very competitive world. All large aggregations of capital eventually find it hell on earth to grow and thus find a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/it-s-a-finite-and-very-competitive-world-all-large-aggregations-of/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [I wouldn't give one iota to make a trip from the cradle to the grave unless I could live in a competitive world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolph-rupp/i-wouldn-t-give-one-iota-to-make-a-trip-from-the-cradle-to-the-grave/) [Adolph Rupp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolph-rupp/) > [In a competitive world of limited resources, total freedom of individual action is intolerable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garrett-hardin/in-a-competitive-world-of-limited-resources-total-freedom-of/) [Garrett Hardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garrett-hardin/) > [Even bright people are going to have limited, really valuable insights in a very competitive world when they're fighting against other very bright, hardworking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/even-bright-people-are-going-to-have-limited-really-valuable-insights/) [Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/) > [Seizing the opportunity in order to stay in the race of day to day life is key to survive in competitive world. In order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/seizing-the-opportunity-in-order-to-stay-in-the-race-of-day-to-day/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) ## More by Henri Nouwen > [We are not the healers, we are not the reconcilers, we are not the givers of life. We are sinful, broken, vulnerable people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-are-not-the-healers-we-are-not-the-reconcilers-we-are-not-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The more we touch the intimate love of God which creates, sustains, and guides us, the more we recognize the multitude of fruits that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-we-touch-the-intimate-love-of-god-which-creates-sustains-and/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Feelings of guilt dominate our work as peacemakers we cannot last long. But when we have opened each other's eyes to the great human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/feelings-of-guilt-dominate-our-work-as-peacemakers-we-cannot-last/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [...we all want to hear stories, from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Stories connect our little lives with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-all-want-to-hear-stories-from-the-moment-we-are-born-to-the-moment/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I have found it very important...to let go of my wishes and start hoping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-have-found-it-very-important-to-let-go-of-my-wishes-and-start-hoping/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Simply being with someone is difficult because it asks of us that we share in the other's vulnerability, enter with him or her into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/simply-being-with-someone-is-difficult-because-it-asks-of-us-that-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Somewhere we know that without silence, words lose their meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/somewhere-we-know-that-without-silence-words-lose-their-meaning/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Jesus says, "Keep your heart on the kingdom first. Keep your heart on God's love. Keep focused on the fact that you are God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/jesus-says-keep-your-heart-on-the-kingdom-first-keep-your-heart-on/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [This sounds very simple and maybe even trite, but very few people know that they are loved without condition or limits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/this-sounds-very-simple-and-maybe-even-trite-but-very-few-people-know/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [“The more preoccupied we are with security the more visible the force of death becomes, whether in the form of a pistol beside our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-preoccupied-we-are-with-security-the-more-visible-the-force/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [If you feel a great loneliness and a deep longing for human contact, you have to be extremely discerning...and ask yourself whether this situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/if-you-feel-a-great-loneliness-and-a-deep-longing-for-human-contact/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I choose L'Arche; L'Arche chooses me. I would be dead if I weren't here. I need people to love me and care for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-choose-l-arche-l-arche-chooses-me-i-would-be-dead-if-i-weren-t-here/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God's eyes, called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-truth-even-though-i-cannot-feel-it-right-now-is-that-i-am-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/in-a-world-so-torn-apart-by-rivalry-anger-and-hatred-we-have-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Where true inner freedom is, there is God. And where God is, there we want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/where-true-inner-freedom-is-there-is-god-and-where-god-is-there-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) [Explore all 452 Henri Nouwen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## More Competitive quotes > [If life were like a competitive race, some people would be given a flying start and others would line up with weights tied to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mardy-grothe/if-life-were-like-a-competitive-race-some-people-would-be-given-a/) [Mardy Grothe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mardy-grothe/) > [When my main character in 'Heat' climbs the tower, the highest diving platform, hoping to resume competitive diving after an injury, I am there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cadnum/when-my-main-character-in-heat-climbs-the-tower-the-highest-diving/) [Michael Cadnum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cadnum/) > [I'm a competitive person. I love the game of basketball. I'm a gym rat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-pierce/i-m-a-competitive-person-i-love-the-game-of-basketball-i-m-a-gym-rat/) [Paul Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-pierce/) > [My dad is a competitive guy. That's a part of me. It's just a certain drive, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auston-matthews/my-dad-is-a-competitive-guy-that-s-a-part-of-me-it-s-just-a-certain/) [Auston Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auston-matthews/) > [I was a serious competitive figure skater and still ice-skate as much as I can. Anyway, I once brought a date to the rink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-serratos/i-was-a-serious-competitive-figure-skater-and-still-ice-skate-as-much/) [Christian Serratos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-serratos/) > [Don't compare your career to anyone else's. It's tough when you're in a business that's competitive. I was having a difficult time with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-brooks/don-t-compare-your-career-to-anyone-else-s-it-s-tough-when-you-re-in/) [Danielle Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-brooks/) > [In any competitive environment, whether you're in sales or marketing or whatever it is, you have to know your competition, understand who they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-moses/in-any-competitive-environment-whether-you-re-in-sales-or-marketing/) [Edwin Moses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-moses/) > [I just love this sport and it's so competitive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-coleman/i-just-love-this-sport-and-it-s-so-competitive/) [Christian Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-coleman/) > [Everyone must be in the same competitive situation, including on the fiscal level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/everyone-must-be-in-the-same-competitive-situation-including-on-the/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [I've always been competitive and determined. It's part of my personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellie-simmonds/i-ve-always-been-competitive-and-determined-it-s-part-of-my/) [Ellie Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellie-simmonds/) > [Uruguayans are competitive, and we always want to win. Even though we try to hide it, it is impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diego-godin/uruguayans-are-competitive-and-we-always-want-to-win-even-though-we/) [Diego Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diego-godin/) > [I'm quite competitive. Not with other models but with myself. I have to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arizona-muse/i-m-quite-competitive-not-with-other-models-but-with-myself-i-have-to/) [Arizona Muse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arizona-muse/) > [I'll miss the competitive side and the camaraderie of being around the players and competing each and every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scottie-pippen/i-ll-miss-the-competitive-side-and-the-camaraderie-of-being-around/) [Scottie Pippen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scottie-pippen/) > [We always want to see each other do well. And I think we all want to win. As competitive as you are, you always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-brown/we-always-want-to-see-each-other-do-well-and-i-think-we-all-want-to/) [Antonio Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-brown/) > [Any physical practice can be a competitive sport. What level you can take postures to create the maximum challenge and show your maximum skill,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajashree-choudhury/any-physical-practice-can-be-a-competitive-sport-what-level-you-can/) [Rajashree Choudhury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajashree-choudhury/) [Browse all 1,008 Competitive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competitive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Yes, it's a competitive world, but where is your heart?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henri Nouwen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/yes-it-s-a-competitive-world-but-where-is-your-heart/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Competitive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/yes-it-s-a-competitive-world-but-where-is-your-heart/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e81/henri-nouwen-600_competitive_yes-it-s-a-competitive-world-but-where-i_2688952.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e81/henri-nouwen-600_competitive_yes-it-s-a-competitive-world-but-where-i_2688952.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e81/henri-nouwen-600_competitive_yes-it-s-a-competitive-world-but-where-i_2688952.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Yes, it's a competitive world, but where is your heart?” — Henri Nouwen", "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": "Henri Nouwen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Yes, it's a competitive world, but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/yes-it-s-a-competitive-world-but-where-is-your-heart/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/yes-it-s-a-competitive-world-but-where-is-your-heart/#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 } } ] } ```