--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Defeat doesn't finish a man, quit does. A…" description: "\"Defeat doesn't finish a man, quit does. A man is not finished when he's defeated. He's finished when he quits.\" — Richard M. Nixon" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/631/richard-m-nixon-727_defeat_defeat-doesn-t-finish-a-man-quit-does-a_1235208.jpg" --- # Defeat doesn't finish a man, quit does. A man is not… ![“Defeat doesn't finish a man, quit does. A man is not finished when he's defeated. He's finished when he quits.” quote by Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/631/richard-m-nixon-727_defeat_defeat-doesn-t-finish-a-man-quit-does-a_1235208.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/631/richard-m-nixon-727_defeat_defeat-doesn-t-finish-a-man-quit-does-a_1235208.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/631/richard-m-nixon-727_defeat_defeat-doesn-t-finish-a-man-quit-does-a_1235208.jpg) > “Defeat doesn't finish a man, quit does. A man is not finished when he's defeated. He's finished when he quits.” [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True defeat is not failure itself but giving up; perseverance defines character. **In simple terms:** Quitters lose, not failures. Key Takeaway Never quit. Themes resilience perseverance strength Mood determined reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - sports competition - business challenges - personal setbacks - academic exams Key Concepts mindset determination Questions to Reflect On - What keeps you moving after defeat? - When is quitting a wise choice? A Different Perspective Sometimes rest is necessary for recovery. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat/) [Defeat Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat-doesn-2405131/) [Defeated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeated/) [Defeated Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeated-finished-3356875/) [Finished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finished/) [Finished Defeated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finished-defeated-3356874/) [Quits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quits/) ## Related quotes > [“Defeat doesn't finish a man, quitting does. A man is not finished when he's defeated. He's finished when he quits.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-milhous-nixon/defeat-doesn-t-finish-a-man-quitting-does-a-man-is-not-finished-when/) [Richard Milhous Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-milhous-nixon/) > [A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/a-man-is-not-finished-when-he-is-defeated-he-is-finished-when-he-quits/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [You're not finished when you're defeated ... you're finished when you quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-re-not-finished-when-you-re-defeated-you-re-finished-when-you-quit/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Defeat doesn't finish a man - quit does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/defeat-doesn-t-finish-a-man-quit-does/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [If you don't invest very much, then defeat doesn't hurt very much and winning is not very exciting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-vermeil/if-you-don-t-invest-very-much-then-defeat-doesn-t-hurt-very-much-and/) [Dick Vermeil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-vermeil/) > [Forget about the defeat,what doesn't kill you makes you stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forget-about-the-defeat-what-doesn-t-kill-you-makes-you-stronger/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Defeat is a momentary thing. A defeat doesn't last. We were defeated and now we attack. Defeat means nothing. Can't you understand that? Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/defeat-is-a-momentary-thing-a-defeat-doesn-t-last-we-were-defeated/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [A man isn't finnished when he is beaten he is finnished when he quits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/a-man-isn-t-finnished-when-he-is-beaten-he-is-finnished-when-he-quits/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [The Soviet Union began by banishing God. The United States began as a community of people who wanted to worship God as they chose.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/the-soviet-union-began-by-banishing-god-the-united-states-began-as-a/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [He who bears in his heart a cathedral to be built is already victorious. He who seeks to become sexton of a finished cathedral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/he-who-bears-in-his-heart-a-cathedral-to-be-built-is-already/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [If you give up before your goal has been reached, you are a "quitter." A QUITTER NEVER WINS AND A WINNER NEVER QUITS. Lift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/if-you-give-up-before-your-goal-has-been-reached-you-are-a-quitter-a/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Hope travels through, nor quits us when we die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/hope-travels-through-nor-quits-us-when-we-die/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [I'm not the type of guy that quits for any reason whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicente-luque/i-m-not-the-type-of-guy-that-quits-for-any-reason-whatsoever/) [Vicente Luque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicente-luque/) > [If you've ever been a person who is running a successful brand or business and with someone who is doing the same, but in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaitlyn-bristowe/if-you-ve-ever-been-a-person-who-is-running-a-successful-brand-or/) [Kaitlyn Bristowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaitlyn-bristowe/) > [“If you want to call it quits, just tell me. Man up and say it to my face. Don’t just skulk around.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-m-richards/if-you-want-to-call-it-quits-just-tell-me-man-up-and-say-it-to-my/) [J.M. Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-m-richards/) ## More by Richard M. Nixon > [I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-have-never-been-a-quitter-to-leave-office-before-my-term-is/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [With those who are willing to join, let us cooperate to reduce the burden of arms, to strengthen the structure of peace, to lift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/with-those-who-are-willing-to-join-let-us-cooperate-to-reduce-the/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I have earned every cent. And in all of my years of public life I have never obstructed justice,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-have-earned-every-cent-and-in-all-of-my-years-of-public-life-i-have/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [Restoring nature to its natural state is a cause beyond party and beyond factions. It has become a common cause of all the people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/restoring-nature-to-its-natural-state-is-a-cause-beyond-party-and/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [What kind of nation we will be, what kind of world we will live in, whether we shape the future in the image of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/what-kind-of-nation-we-will-be-what-kind-of-world-we-will-live-in/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [Once you get into this great stream of history you can't get out. You can drown. Or you can be pulled ashore by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/once-you-get-into-this-great-stream-of-history-you-can-t-get-out-you/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [The ultimate test of a nation's character is not how it responds to adversity in war but how it meets the challenge of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/the-ultimate-test-of-a-nation-s-character-is-not-how-it-responds-to/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [History is a pathetic junkyard of broken treaties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/history-is-a-pathetic-junkyard-of-broken-treaties/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I refuse to make a decision that somebody else can make. The first rule of leadership is to save yourself for the big decision.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-refuse-to-make-a-decision-that-somebody-else-can-make-the-first/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [Those who hate you don't win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/those-who-hate-you-don-t-win-unless-you-hate-them-and-then-you/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I made my mistakes, but in all of my years in public life, I have never profited, never profited from public serviceI have earned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-made-my-mistakes-but-in-all-of-my-years-in-public-life-i-have-never/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I know you heard what you thought I said, but what I said isn't what I meant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-know-you-heard-what-you-thought-i-said-but-what-i-said-isn-t-what-i/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I want to be sure...that nothing is done on these veterans. Is that understood?...Is the word out? That they are not to touch em,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/i-want-to-be-sure-that-nothing-is-done-on-these-veterans-is-that/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [“Nations not possessing great power can indulge in the luxury of criticism of others; those possessing it have the responsibility of decision. Faced with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/nations-not-possessing-great-power-can-indulge-in-the-luxury-of/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [The peace we seek in the world is not the flimsy peace which is merely an interlude between wars, but a peace which can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/the-peace-we-seek-in-the-world-is-not-the-flimsy-peace-which-is/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) [Explore all 388 Richard M. Nixon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) ## More Defeat quotes > [A poor self-image is the magnifying glass that can transform a trivial mistake or an imperfection into an overwhelming symbol of personal defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/a-poor-self-image-is-the-magnifying-glass-that-can-transform-a/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt. That's morality, that's religion. That's art. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-ochs/even-though-you-can-t-expect-to-defeat-the-absurdity-of-the-world-you/) [Phil Ochs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-ochs/) > [The devil has been defeated, stop trying to defeat him. What we have left is the fight of faith, and it's a good fight!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-oyakhilome/the-devil-has-been-defeated-stop-trying-to-defeat-him-what-we-have/) [Chris Oyakhilome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-oyakhilome/) > [If Pete’s (Sampras) child is a girl, my son will like her; if he’s a boy, my son will defeat him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/if-pete-s-sampras-child-is-a-girl-my-son-will-like-her-if-he-s-a-boy/) [Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/) > [All our efforts to defeat poverty and pursue sustainable development will be in vain if environmental degradation and natural resource depletion continue unabated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/all-our-efforts-to-defeat-poverty-and-pursue-sustainable-development/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [Defeat furnishes good material to the poets and the artists, but none of us care to have the glory of the conquered apply to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-glaspell/defeat-furnishes-good-material-to-the-poets-and-the-artists-but-none/) [Susan Glaspell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-glaspell/) > [“We don't have to defeat any individual but our own self.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avijeet-das/we-don-t-have-to-defeat-any-individual-but-our-own-self/) [Avijeet Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avijeet-das/) > [“Defeat is a disease, and victory is the cure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/defeat-is-a-disease-and-victory-is-the-cure/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The glow of victory and the harsh chill of defeat are two sides of the same coin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-lenartowicz/the-glow-of-victory-and-the-harsh-chill-of-defeat-are-two-sides-of/) [Maria Lenartowicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-lenartowicz/) > [After a big defeat, any player feels affected - it is about how long he needs to recover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerardo-martino/after-a-big-defeat-any-player-feels-affected-it-is-about-how-long-he/) [Gerardo Martino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerardo-martino/) > [I have clearly said we faced terrorist enemies who use Islam to justify slaughtering innocent people and we have to stop them and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-have-clearly-said-we-faced-terrorist-enemies-who-use-islam-to/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [We know from this book entitled... What is it? Surrendered? Succumbed? I can never remember the title perform. And we learn from this book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-know-from-this-book-entitled-what-is-it-surrendered-succumbed-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [The ultimate aim of Karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gichin-funakoshi/the-ultimate-aim-of-karate-lies-not-in-victory-or-defeat-but-in-the/) [Gichin Funakoshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gichin-funakoshi/) > [It has never been more critical that a leader step forward to accelerate our understanding of cancer - and champion the effort to finally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-j-dzau/it-has-never-been-more-critical-that-a-leader-step-forward-to/) [Victor J. Dzau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-j-dzau/) > [“It would seem no matter how progressive we get there are always those few who are backwards in their ways.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solange-nicole/it-would-seem-no-matter-how-progressive-we-get-there-are-always-those/) [Solange nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solange-nicole/) [Browse all 2,603 Defeat quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Defeat doesn't finish a man, quit does. A man is not finished when he's defeated. He's finished when he quits.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Richard M. 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