---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Who never wins can rarely lose, Who never…"
description: "\"Who never wins can rarely lose, Who never climbs as rarely falls\" — John Greenleaf Whittier"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/john-greenleaf-whittier-2061_climbs_who-never-wins-can-rarely-lose-who-never_2393142.png"
---

#  Who never wins can rarely lose, Who never climbs as rarely…

![“Who never wins can rarely lose, Who never climbs as rarely falls” quote by John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/john-greenleaf-whittier-2061_climbs_who-never-wins-can-rarely-lose-who-never_2393142.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/john-greenleaf-whittier-2061_climbs_who-never-wins-can-rarely-lose-who-never_2393142.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/john-greenleaf-whittier-2061_climbs_who-never-wins-can-rarely-lose-who-never_2393142.png)

> “Who never wins can rarely lose, Who never climbs as rarely falls”

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Success and failure are intertwined; avoiding risk prevents both victory and defeat.

**In simple terms:** Risk‑taking leads to both wins and losses.

Key Takeaway

Take calculated risks to experience growth.

Themes

risk success failure balance

Mood

cautious optimistic

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- career choices
- investment decisions
- personal challenges
- creative ventures

Key Concepts

paradox decision making growth mindset

Questions to Reflect On

- What risks have you avoided?
- How might risk change your outcomes?

A Different Perspective

Avoiding risk may lead to stagnation.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/)

## Related quotes

> [One rarely falls in love without being as much attracted to what is interestingly wrong with someone as what is objectively healthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/one-rarely-falls-in-love-without-being-as-much-attracted-to-what-is/)

[Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/)

> [He who walks straight rarely falls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/he-who-walks-straight-rarely-falls/)

[Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/)

> [I rarely lose my temper anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/i-rarely-lose-my-temper-anymore/)

[Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/)

> [I think the best directors rarely lose their temper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/i-think-the-best-directors-rarely-lose-their-temper/)

[Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/)

> [While cares will drop off like autumn leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/while-cares-will-drop-off-like-autumn-leaves/)

[John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/)

> [I put a lot of emphasis on how to treat people. The reason for this is simple. The real success of our personal lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-put-a-lot-of-emphasis-on-how-to-treat-people-the-reason-for-this-is/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [The ascent of any route begins, in dreams at least, the autumn before. Our minds ring, involuntarily, with the alluring names of mountains, aiguilles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaston-rebuffat/the-ascent-of-any-route-begins-in-dreams-at-least-the-autumn-before/)

[Gaston Rebuffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaston-rebuffat/)

> [Every mountain needs someone to climb it, Every ocean needs someone to dive in, Every dream needs someone to wish it, Every adventure needs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/india-arie-2/every-mountain-needs-someone-to-climb-it-every-ocean-needs-someone-to/)

[India.Arie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/india-arie-2/)

> [Some day I'm going to climb Everest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-hillary/some-day-i-m-going-to-climb-everest/)

[Edmund Hillary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-hillary/)

> [You should climb around inside my brain, Dan. It's like this dark room surrounded by quicksand." "I know what you mean," her brother said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lerangis/you-should-climb-around-inside-my-brain-dan-it-s-like-this-dark-room/)

[Peter Lerangis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lerangis/)

> [Early on a difficult climb, especially a solo climb, you’re hyper-aware of the abyss pulling at your back, constantly feeling its call, its immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/early-on-a-difficult-climb-especially-a-solo-climb-you-re-hyper-aware/)

[Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/)

> [ I've often thought about that and the only suitable member to join me on that climb \[to Everest\] was George Lowe: he was strong,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-hillary/i-ve-often-thought-about-that-and-the-only-suitable-member-to-join-me/)

[Edmund Hillary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-hillary/)

> [Life is a climb and it's a struggle getting to the top but the drop to the bottom can be quick and so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/life-is-a-climb-and-it-s-a-struggle-getting-to-the-top-but-the-drop/)

[Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/)

> [The bumps are what you climb on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-bumps-are-what-you-climb-on/)

[Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/)

> [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/)

## More by John Greenleaf Whittier

> [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/the-joy-that-you-give-to-others-is-the-joy-that-comes-back-to-you/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [No lance have I, in joust or fight, To splinter in my lady's sight; But, at her feet, how blest were I For any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/no-lance-have-i-in-joust-or-fight-to-splinter-in-my-lady-s-sight-but/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [A little smile, a word of cheer, A bit of love from someone near, A little gift from one held dear, Best wishes for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/a-little-smile-a-word-of-cheer-a-bit-of-love-from-someone-near-a/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [On leaf of palm, on sedge-wrought roll; on plastic clay and leather scroll, man wrote his thoughts; the ages passed, and lo! the Press…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/on-leaf-of-palm-on-sedge-wrought-roll-on-plastic-clay-and-leather/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [What does the good ship bear so well? The cocoa-nut with its stony shell, And the milky sap of its inner cell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/what-does-the-good-ship-bear-so-well-the-cocoa-nut-with-its-stony/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [Love hath never known a law beyond its own sweet will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/love-hath-never-known-a-law-beyond-its-own-sweet-will/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [Leaning on Him, make with reverent meekness His own thy will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/leaning-on-him-make-with-reverent-meekness-his-own-thy-will/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [Sweeter than any sungMy songs that found no tongue;Nobler than any factMy wish that failed of act.Others shall sing the song,Others shall right the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/sweeter-than-any-sungmy-songs-that-found-no-tongue-nobler-than-any/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [The Present, the Present is all thou hast For thy sure possessing; Like the patriarch's angel hold it fast Till it gives its blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/the-present-the-present-is-all-thou-hast-for-thy-sure-possessing-like/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [They who wander widest lift No more of beauties' jealous veils, Than they who from their doorways see The miracle of flowers and trees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/they-who-wander-widest-lift-no-more-of-beauties-jealous-veils-than/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [Once more the liberal year laughs out O'er richer stores than gems or gold: Once more with harvest song and shout Is nature's boldest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/once-more-the-liberal-year-laughs-out-o-er-richer-stores-than-gems-or/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [Quite the ugliest face I ever saw was that of a woman whom the world called beautiful. Through its silver veil the evil and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/quite-the-ugliest-face-i-ever-saw-was-that-of-a-woman-whom-the-world/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [With smoking axle hot with speed, with steeds of fire and steam, Wide-waked To-day leaves Yesterday behind him like a dream. Still, from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/with-smoking-axle-hot-with-speed-with-steeds-of-fire-and-steam-wide/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

> [If woman lost us Eden, such As she alone restore it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/if-woman-lost-us-eden-such-as-she-alone-restore-it/)

[John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

[Explore all 188 John Greenleaf Whittier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/)

## More Climbs quotes

> [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/)

> [The bumps are what you climb on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-bumps-are-what-you-climb-on/)

[Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/)

> [Life is a climb and it's a struggle getting to the top but the drop to the bottom can be quick and so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/life-is-a-climb-and-it-s-a-struggle-getting-to-the-top-but-the-drop/)

[Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/)

> [ I've often thought about that and the only suitable member to join me on that climb \[to Everest\] was George Lowe: he was strong,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-hillary/i-ve-often-thought-about-that-and-the-only-suitable-member-to-join-me/)

[Edmund Hillary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-hillary/)

> [Early on a difficult climb, especially a solo climb, you’re hyper-aware of the abyss pulling at your back, constantly feeling its call, its immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/early-on-a-difficult-climb-especially-a-solo-climb-you-re-hyper-aware/)

[Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/)

> [You should climb around inside my brain, Dan. It's like this dark room surrounded by quicksand." "I know what you mean," her brother said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lerangis/you-should-climb-around-inside-my-brain-dan-it-s-like-this-dark-room/)

[Peter Lerangis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lerangis/)

> [Some day I'm going to climb Everest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-hillary/some-day-i-m-going-to-climb-everest/)

[Edmund Hillary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-hillary/)

> [Every mountain needs someone to climb it, Every ocean needs someone to dive in, Every dream needs someone to wish it, Every adventure needs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/india-arie-2/every-mountain-needs-someone-to-climb-it-every-ocean-needs-someone-to/)

[India.Arie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/india-arie-2/)

> [The ascent of any route begins, in dreams at least, the autumn before. Our minds ring, involuntarily, with the alluring names of mountains, aiguilles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaston-rebuffat/the-ascent-of-any-route-begins-in-dreams-at-least-the-autumn-before/)

[Gaston Rebuffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaston-rebuffat/)

> [I put a lot of emphasis on how to treat people. The reason for this is simple. The real success of our personal lives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-kay-ash/i-put-a-lot-of-emphasis-on-how-to-treat-people-the-reason-for-this-is/)

[Mary Kay Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-kay-ash/)

> [While cares will drop off like autumn leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/while-cares-will-drop-off-like-autumn-leaves/)

[John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/)

> [Handicaps can be converted into stepping stones on which one may climb toward some worthy goal, unless they are accepted as obstacles, and used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/handicaps-can-be-converted-into-stepping-stones-on-which-one-may/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [Ambition devours gold and drinks blood and climbs so high by other men's heads, that at the length in the fall, it breaks its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-wentworth-1st-earl-of-strafford/ambition-devours-gold-and-drinks-blood-and-climbs-so-high-by-other/)

Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford

> [A part of me will always be unflyable, stuck in the climb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wein/a-part-of-me-will-always-be-unflyable-stuck-in-the-climb/)

[Elizabeth Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wein/)

> [Yeah my money's so tall that my Barbie's gotta climb it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/yeah-my-money-s-so-tall-that-my-barbie-s-gotta-climb-it/)

[Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/)

Browse all 1,083 Climbs quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Who never wins can rarely lose, Who never climbs as rarely falls",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "John Greenleaf Whittier"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/who-never-wins-can-rarely-lose-who-never-climbs-as-rarely-falls/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Climbs"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/who-never-wins-can-rarely-lose-who-never-climbs-as-rarely-falls/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/john-greenleaf-whittier-2061_climbs_who-never-wins-can-rarely-lose-who-never_2393142.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/john-greenleaf-whittier-2061_climbs_who-never-wins-can-rarely-lose-who-never_2393142.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eeb/john-greenleaf-whittier-2061_climbs_who-never-wins-can-rarely-lose-who-never_2393142.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Who never wins can rarely lose, Who never climbs as rarely falls” — John Greenleaf Whittier",
                "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": "John Greenleaf Whittier",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Who never wins can rarely lose,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/who-never-wins-can-rarely-lose-who-never-climbs-as-rarely-falls/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/who-never-wins-can-rarely-lose-who-never-climbs-as-rarely-falls/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
