---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Conquer we shall, but, we must first…"
description: "\"Conquer we shall, but, we must first contend! It's not the fight that crowns us, but the end.\" — Robert Herrick"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18b/robert-herrick-3088_conquer_conquer-we-shall-but-we-must-first-conte_1300101.png"
---

#  Conquer we shall, but, we must first contend! It's not the…

![“Conquer we shall, but, we must first contend! It's not the fight that crowns us, but the end.” quote by Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18b/robert-herrick-3088_conquer_conquer-we-shall-but-we-must-first-conte_1300101.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18b/robert-herrick-3088_conquer_conquer-we-shall-but-we-must-first-conte_1300101.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18b/robert-herrick-3088_conquer_conquer-we-shall-but-we-must-first-conte_1300101.png)

> “Conquer we shall, but, we must first contend! It's not the fight that crowns us, but the end.”

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

## About This Quote

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

True success is measured by the outcome, not the struggle itself; the final result defines worth.

**In simple terms:** End matters more than effort.

Key Takeaway

Value results over mere fighting.

Themes

achievement endurance purpose

Mood

contemplative motivational

Type

literary inspirational

When to use this quote

- career milestones
- project completion
- sports championships
- personal growth

Key Concepts

goal orientation outcome focus

Questions to Reflect On

- What end are you aiming for?
- How does the journey shape the result?

A Different Perspective

Focusing only on ends can ignore learning from the process.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Conquer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquer/) [Conquer Shall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquer-shall-2772790/) [Contend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contend/) [Contend Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contend-fight-4266317/) [Shall Contend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shall-contend-4266316/)

## Related quotes

> [But fight we must; and conquer we shall; in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/but-fight-we-must-and-conquer-we-shall-in-the-end/)

[Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/)

> [To believe that your husband, wife, parents, kids, boss, job, bank account, or body is even partly responsible for your emotions, to think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-believe-that-your-husband-wife-parents-kids-boss-job-bank-account/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Leaders are for calling people to their better angels, for helping guide them to a kind of sterner, more mature sense of what we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perlstein/leaders-are-for-calling-people-to-their-better-angels-for-helping/)

[Rick Perlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perlstein/)

> [Critics might contend that putting former private-sector CEOs in the president's Cabinet places the fox in the henhouse. But it's unlikely such executives would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/critics-might-contend-that-putting-former-private-sector-ceos-in-the/)

[John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/)

> [A duped newspaper or magazine could contend that a fiction-spouting journalist obtained part of his salary via fraud, and use a criminal proceeding to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-i-koerner/a-duped-newspaper-or-magazine-could-contend-that-a-fiction-spouting/)

[Brendan I. Koerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-i-koerner/)

> [It is evident that you contend against sin merely because of how it troubles you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/it-is-evident-that-you-contend-against-sin-merely-because-of-how-it/)

[John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/)

> [“There’s nothing left to contend against and nothing left that must be done, and there will never be anything that must be done ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-mckenna/there-s-nothing-left-to-contend-against-and-nothing-left-that-must-be/)

[Jed McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-mckenna/)

> [We are all dwellers on this one small earth; we live one life, die one death; we have the same difficulties to contend with;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-glover-barkla/we-are-all-dwellers-on-this-one-small-earth-we-live-one-life-die-one/)

[Charles Glover Barkla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-glover-barkla/)

> [I want to have a chance to contend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deandre-jordan/i-want-to-have-a-chance-to-contend/)

[DeAndre Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deandre-jordan/)

> [The decline of violence isn't a steady inclined plane from an original state of maximal and universal bloodshed. Technology, ideology, and social and cultural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pinker/the-decline-of-violence-isn-t-a-steady-inclined-plane-from-an/)

[Steven Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pinker/)

> [Surrounded by a burgeoning human population, Asian elephants have to contend with the spread of settlements and farming, and the demands of rapidly developing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shand/surrounded-by-a-burgeoning-human-population-asian-elephants-have-to/)

[Mark Shand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shand/)

> [Now we have to contend with overstimulation and too many opportunities all the time, and too many decisions all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-mcgovern/now-we-have-to-contend-with-overstimulation-and-too-many/)

[Elizabeth McGovern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-mcgovern/)

> [Some people thought I'd be on the PGA Tour, that I'd win tournaments, play in majors, contend in majors, win majors. I thought they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-johnson/some-people-thought-i-d-be-on-the-pga-tour-that-i-d-win-tournaments/)

[Zach Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-johnson/)

> [The Term Paper Artist' represents two models of writing, one of the little boy bouncing his ball, generating stories for the sheer pleasure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-leavitt/the-term-paper-artist-represents-two-models-of-writing-one-of-the/)

[David Leavitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-leavitt/)

> [Obviously you want to contend for a Super Bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mccourty/obviously-you-want-to-contend-for-a-super-bowl/)

[Jason McCourty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-mccourty/)

## More by Robert Herrick

> [Love is maintain'd by wealth: when all is spent, Adversity then breeds the discontent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/love-is-maintain-d-by-wealth-when-all-is-spent-adversity-then-breeds/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [It takes great wit and interest and energy to be happy. The pursuit of happiness is a great activity. One must be open and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/it-takes-great-wit-and-interest-and-energy-to-be-happy-the-pursuit-of/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Whatever comes, let's be content withal; Among God's blessings there is not one small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/whatever-comes-let-s-be-content-withal-among-god-s-blessings-there-is/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [When a daffadill I see, Hanging down his head towards me, Guess I may, what I must be: First, I shall decline my head;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/when-a-daffadill-i-see-hanging-down-his-head-towards-me-guess-i-may/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [In ways to greatness think on this, That slippery all ambition is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/in-ways-to-greatness-think-on-this-that-slippery-all-ambition-is/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [“Have ye beheld (with much delight) A red rose peeping through a white? Or else a cherry (double graced) Within a lily? Centre placed?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/have-ye-beheld-with-much-delight-a-red-rose-peeping-through-a-white/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Necessity makes dastards valiant men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/necessity-makes-dastards-valiant-men/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Buying, possessing, accumulating--this is not worldliness. But doing this in the love of it, with no love of God paramount--doing it so that thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/buying-possessing-accumulating-this-is-not-worldliness-but-doing-this/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Tears are the noble language of eyes, and when true love of words is destitute. The eye by tears speak, while the tongue is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/tears-are-the-noble-language-of-eyes-and-when-true-love-of-words-is/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Bid me to live, and I will live Thy Protestant to be: Or bid me love, and I will give A loving heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/bid-me-to-live-and-i-will-live-thy-protestant-to-be-or-bid-me-love/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [That age is best which is the first When youth and blood are warmer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/that-age-is-best-which-is-the-first-when-youth-and-blood-are-warmer/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Show me thy feet, show me thy legs, thy thighs Show me those fleshy principalities; Show me that hill where smiling love doth sit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/show-me-thy-feet-show-me-thy-legs-thy-thighs-show-me-those-fleshy/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Hast thou attempted greatnesse? Then go on; Back-turning slackens resolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/hast-thou-attempted-greatnesse-then-go-on-back-turning-slackens/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [Attempt the end and never stand to doubt; Nothing's so hard, but search will find it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/attempt-the-end-and-never-stand-to-doubt-nothing-s-so-hard-but-search/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

> [The readiness of doing doth expresse No other but the doer's willingnesse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/the-readiness-of-doing-doth-expresse-no-other-but-the-doer-s/)

[Robert Herrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

[Explore all 140 Robert Herrick quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/)

## More Conquer quotes

> [There are no more worlds to conquer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/there-are-no-more-worlds-to-conquer/)

[Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/)

> [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/)

[Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/)

> [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/)

[Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/)

> [Man will not always stay on Earth; the pursuit of light and space will lead him to penetrate the bounds of the atmosphere, timidly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konstantin-tsiolkovsky/man-will-not-always-stay-on-earth-the-pursuit-of-light-and-space-will/)

[Konstantin Tsiolkovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konstantin-tsiolkovsky/)

> [It is not enough to dream of the Impossible Love - it is necessary to conquer it too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/it-is-not-enough-to-dream-of-the-impossible-love-it-is-necessary-to/)

[Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/)

> [“Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/give-me-26-lead-soldiers-and-i-will-conquer-the-world/)

[Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/)

> [I'm ready to conquer anything thrown at me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-pritchard/i-m-ready-to-conquer-anything-thrown-at-me/)

[A. J. Pritchard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-pritchard/)

> [“They had been dreamers. Her father always said that this was why they had been easy to conquer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-rutkoski/they-had-been-dreamers-her-father-always-said-that-this-was-why-they/)

[Marie Rutkoski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-rutkoski/)

> [The moment you conquer one fear is the minute you conquer many fears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/the-moment-you-conquer-one-fear-is-the-minute-you-conquer-many-fears/)

[Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/)

> [“In quixotically trying to conquer death doctors all too frequently do no good for their patients’ “ease” but at the same time they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kevorkian/in-quixotically-trying-to-conquer-death-doctors-all-too-frequently-do/)

[Jack Kevorkian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kevorkian/)

> [Yet hold it more humane, more heav'nly, first, By winning words to conquer willing hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/yet-hold-it-more-humane-more-heav-nly-first-by-winning-words-to/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [At the time when this famous historical battle was fought in Kosovo, the people were looking at the stars, expecting aid from them. Now,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/slobodan-milosevi/at-the-time-when-this-famous-historical-battle-was-fought-in-kosovo/)

[Slobodan Milosević](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/slobodan-milosevi/)

> [I can conquer the world with one hand, as long as you are holding the other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-smith/i-can-conquer-the-world-with-one-hand-as-long-as-you-are-holding-the/)

[Megan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-smith/)

> [ To conquer \[our enemies\] we must dare, and dare again, and dare for ever; and thus will France be saved ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-danton/to-conquer-our-enemies-we-must-dare-and-dare-again-and-dare-for-ever/)

[Georges Danton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-danton/)

> [I consider that the Golden Rule requires that if I like a program I must share it with other people who like it. Software…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-stallman/i-consider-that-the-golden-rule-requires-that-if-i-like-a-program-i/)

[Richard Stallman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-stallman/)

[Browse all 1,557 Conquer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquer/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Conquer we shall, but, we must first contend! It's not the fight that crowns us, but the end.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Robert Herrick"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/conquer-we-shall-but-we-must-first-contend-it-s-not-the-fight-that/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Conquer"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/conquer-we-shall-but-we-must-first-contend-it-s-not-the-fight-that/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18b/robert-herrick-3088_conquer_conquer-we-shall-but-we-must-first-conte_1300101.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18b/robert-herrick-3088_conquer_conquer-we-shall-but-we-must-first-conte_1300101.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/18b/robert-herrick-3088_conquer_conquer-we-shall-but-we-must-first-conte_1300101.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Conquer we shall, but, we must first contend! It's not the fight that crowns us, but the end.” — Robert Herrick",
                "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": "Robert Herrick",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-herrick/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Conquer we shall, but, we must...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/conquer-we-shall-but-we-must-first-contend-it-s-not-the-fight-that/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-herrick/conquer-we-shall-but-we-must-first-contend-it-s-not-the-fight-that/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
