--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Often-times the most difficult…" description: "\"Often-times the most difficult competition comes, not from the strong, the intelligent, the conservative competitor, but from the man who is holding on..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42d/john-d-rockefeller-3693_competition_often-times-the-most-difficult-competiti_2380607.jpg" --- # Often-times the most difficult competition comes, not from… ![“Often-times the most difficult competition comes, not from the strong, the intelligent, the conservative competitor, but from the man who is holding on by the eyelids and is ignorant of his costs, and anyway he's got to keep running or bust!” quote by John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42d/john-d-rockefeller-3693_competition_often-times-the-most-difficult-competiti_2380607.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42d/john-d-rockefeller-3693_competition_often-times-the-most-difficult-competiti_2380607.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/42d/john-d-rockefeller-3693_competition_often-times-the-most-difficult-competiti_2380607.jpg) > “Often-times the most difficult competition comes, not from the strong, the intelligent, the conservative competitor, but from the man who is holding on by the eyelids and is ignorant of his costs, and anyway he's got to keep running or bust!” [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The toughest competitor is the desperate, ignorant runner who must keep going. **In simple terms:** Desperate, ignorant rivals are hardest. Key Takeaway Beware hidden, relentless competition. Themes competition desperation ignorance Mood alert strategic Type analytical warning When to use this quote - market entry - sports - political campaigns Key Concepts psychology of rivalry risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - How do you identify hidden competition? - What strategies counter relentless but uninformed opponents? A Different Perspective Such rivals may be unpredictable and irrational. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Conservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) ## Related quotes > [I'm a competitor, man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/i-m-a-competitor-man/) [Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/) > [The Premier League is a very difficult competition, it's so tough and complicated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deco/the-premier-league-is-a-very-difficult-competition-it-s-so-tough-and/) [Deco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deco/) > [It's a difficult competition against silence, because silence is a perfect language, the only language which says with no words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eduardo-galeano/it-s-a-difficult-competition-against-silence-because-silence-is-a/) [Eduardo Galeano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eduardo-galeano/) > [The Premier League is an extremely difficult competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-conte/the-premier-league-is-an-extremely-difficult-competition/) [Antonio Conte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-conte/) > [All the truly great players have had to demonstrate their importance and value in the most difficult competition of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-baggio/all-the-truly-great-players-have-had-to-demonstrate-their-importance/) [Roberto Baggio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-baggio/) > [I always knew that women, some women, at times find it very difficult to find music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-iovine/i-always-knew-that-women-some-women-at-times-find-it-very-difficult/) [Jimmy Iovine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-iovine/) > [dying nowadays is more gruesome in many ways, namely, more lonely, mechanical, and dehumanized; at times it is even difficult to determine technically when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-kubler-ross/dying-nowadays-is-more-gruesome-in-many-ways-namely-more-lonely/) [Elisabeth Kubler-Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-kubler-ross/) > [When times are difficult, I tell myself, 'I'm just passing through.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantona/when-times-are-difficult-i-tell-myself-i-m-just-passing-through/) [Eric Cantona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantona/) > [If you've got to my age, you've probably had your heart broken many times. So it's not that difficult to unpack a bit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-thompson/if-you-ve-got-to-my-age-you-ve-probably-had-your-heart-broken-many/) [Emma Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-thompson/) > [NEVER FORGET 3 TYPES OF PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE 1 Who helped you in your difficult times .. 2 who left you in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemis-khan/never-forget-3-types-of-people-in-your-life-1-who-helped-you-in-your/) [Kemis Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemis-khan/) > [When times are good, a CEO should remain poised and composed. When times are difficult, a CEO should remain poised and composed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-smith/when-times-are-good-a-ceo-should-remain-poised-and-composed-when/) [Judy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-smith/) > [Every time we get hurt we forgive, forget and move on. But, we must keep this in mind. Never forget 3 types of people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-time-we-get-hurt-we-forgive-forget-and-move-on-but-we-must-keep/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Football is cruel at times; it's difficult. When things go well, you're very good, and when they go badly, well, it's awful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-de-gea/football-is-cruel-at-times-it-s-difficult-when-things-go-well-you-re/) [David de Gea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-de-gea/) > [There are 3 types of people in your life: those who helped you in your difficult times, those who left you in your difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/there-are-3-types-of-people-in-your-life-those-who-helped-you-in-your/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [You know, it's kind of a shame in a way but the more seasoned directors a lot of times have more difficult getting a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bridges/you-know-it-s-kind-of-a-shame-in-a-way-but-the-more-seasoned/) [Jeff Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bridges/) ## More by John D. Rockefeller > [If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/if-your-only-goal-is-to-become-rich-you-will-never-achieve-it/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [Probably the greatest single obstacle to the progress and happiness of the American people lies in the willingness of so many men to invest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/probably-the-greatest-single-obstacle-to-the-progress-and-happiness/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [I would rather hire a man with enthusiasm, than a man who knows everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/i-would-rather-hire-a-man-with-enthusiasm-than-a-man-who-knows/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [“The secret to success is to do the common things uncommonly well.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/the-secret-to-success-is-to-do-the-common-things-uncommonly-well/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [After it is all over, the religion of man is his most important possession.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/after-it-is-all-over-the-religion-of-man-is-his-most-important/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [There is no feeling in this world to be compared with self-reliance--do not sacrifice that to anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/there-is-no-feeling-in-this-world-to-be-compared-with-self-reliance/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [The American Beauty Rose can be produced in the splendor and fragrance which bring cheer to its beholder only by sacrificing the early buds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/the-american-beauty-rose-can-be-produced-in-the-splendor-and/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [To think! All that power and he wasn't even rich!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/to-think-all-that-power-and-he-wasn-t-even-rich/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [The only question with wealth is, what do you do with it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/the-only-question-with-wealth-is-what-do-you-do-with-it/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [I know of nothing more despicable and pathetic than a man who devotes all the hours of the waking day to the making of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/i-know-of-nothing-more-despicable-and-pathetic-than-a-man-who-devotes/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [I always tried to turn every disaster into an opportunity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/i-always-tried-to-turn-every-disaster-into-an-opportunity/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [There is nothing in this world that can compare with the Christian fellowship; nothing that can satisfy but Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/there-is-nothing-in-this-world-that-can-compare-with-the-christian/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [“I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/i-believe-in-the-supreme-worth-of-the-individual-and-in-his-right-to/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/i-do-not-think-there-is-any-other-quality-so-essential-to-success-of/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [The major fortunes in America have been made in land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/the-major-fortunes-in-america-have-been-made-in-land/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) [Explore all 123 John D. Rockefeller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) ## More Competition quotes > [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/) > [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/) [Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [People think that the Club World Cup is an easy competition, but it's not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keylor-navas/people-think-that-the-club-world-cup-is-an-easy-competition-but-it-s/) [Keylor Navas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keylor-navas/) > [If you ask another competitor, they may tell you they felt very competitive towards me. But I can tell you that my biggest competition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-kwan/if-you-ask-another-competitor-they-may-tell-you-they-felt-very/) [Michelle Kwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-kwan/) > [“At times, competition can be a good thing. But a person's value isn't something that can be ranked, is it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hotaru-odagiri/at-times-competition-can-be-a-good-thing-but-a-person-s-value-isn-t/) [Hotaru Odagiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hotaru-odagiri/) > [Our competition has always been anything that is wasting your time when you're bored at work. In a broad sense. We want people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-ohanian/our-competition-has-always-been-anything-that-is-wasting-your-time/) [Alexis Ohanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-ohanian/) > [I've always considered making it legal for Americans to import their prescription drugs a free-trade issue. Imports create competition and keep domestic industry more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-grassley/i-ve-always-considered-making-it-legal-for-americans-to-import-their/) [Chuck Grassley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-grassley/) > [Honestly, we’ll compete with everybody. I love competition. As long as people invent their own stuff, I love competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/honestly-we-ll-compete-with-everybody-i-love-competition-as-long-as/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [The "health, education, and welfare" section of government is another boondoggle. First we manufacture indigent and superfluous people by legal monopolies in land, money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurance-labadie/the-health-education-and-welfare-section-of-government-is-another/) [Laurance Labadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurance-labadie/) > [I try to keep up with everything - all wrestling across the board. I want to know what the competition is doing, what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hardy/i-try-to-keep-up-with-everything-all-wrestling-across-the-board-i/) [Matt Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hardy/) > [Sometimes in England, people look down at the Europa League, but being from the continent, I've always realised what an important competition it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mignolet/sometimes-in-england-people-look-down-at-the-europa-league-but-being/) [Simon Mignolet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mignolet/) > [“There is a scene in one of the Rocky movies where after the match Apollo Creed and Rocky are waiting for the scoring of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-a-passaro/there-is-a-scene-in-one-of-the-rocky-movies-where-after-the-match/) [John A. Passaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-passaro/) > [I've always written. When I was in school, the only teacher who ever liked me was my creative writing teacher. I used to enter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-townes-earle/i-ve-always-written-when-i-was-in-school-the-only-teacher-who-ever/) [Justin Townes Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-townes-earle/) > [Competition between men is a fuel that's useful to us. We have to be careful that it doesn't tell the same story over too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-irwin/competition-between-men-is-a-fuel-that-s-useful-to-us-we-have-to-be/) [Bill Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-irwin/) [Browse all 3,894 Competition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Often-times the most difficult competition comes, not from the strong, the intelligent, the conservative competitor, but from the man who is holding on by the eyelids and is ignorant of his costs, and anyway he's got to keep running or bust!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John D. 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