--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never picked an opponent." description: "\"I never picked an opponent.\" — Royce Gracie" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55a/royce-gracie-4337_never_i-never-picked-an-opponent-1291121_1291121.jpg" --- # I never picked an opponent. ![“I never picked an opponent.” quote by Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55a/royce-gracie-4337_never_i-never-picked-an-opponent-1291121_1291121.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55a/royce-gracie-4337_never_i-never-picked-an-opponent-1291121_1291121.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55a/royce-gracie-4337_never_i-never-picked-an-opponent-1291121_1291121.jpg) > “I never picked an opponent.” [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He never chose an opponent; opponents chose him. **In simple terms:** Opponents choose him. Key Takeaway Focus on self-improvement, not seeking conflict. Themes self-discipline confidence strategy Mood determined reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - competition - business negotiations - personal challenges - conflict resolution Key Concepts martial arts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - Why might you avoid choosing challenges? - How can you create constructive confrontations? A Different Perspective Avoiding opponents may limit growth opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Opponent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opponent/) [Picked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/picked/) [Picked Opponent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/picked-opponent-4206537/) ## Related quotes > [GSP is at the top of my list in knowing how to use strategy, how to bring an opponent out of his game, how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/gsp-is-at-the-top-of-my-list-in-knowing-how-to-use-strategy-how-to/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [I do jiu-jitsu my whole life, so why would I try to stand and bang with Mike Tyson? I'm going to learn boxing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-do-jiu-jitsu-my-whole-life-so-why-would-i-try-to-stand-and-bang/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [In a street fight there is no time-limit, no weight division, you don't choose your opponent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/in-a-street-fight-there-is-no-time-limit-no-weight-division-you-don-t/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [I've never picked any of my opponents - from Amir Khan to Lucas Matthysse to Keith Thurman to Lamont Peterson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-garcia/i-ve-never-picked-any-of-my-opponents-from-amir-khan-to-lucas/) [Danny Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-garcia/) > [That's why I like Demian Maia and Fabricio Werdum. Demian will take you down and do his game. Werdum learned the stand-up to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/that-s-why-i-like-demian-maia-and-fabricio-werdum-demian-will-take/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [I've always said the bass just happens to be the crayon I picked out of the box. I'd still be drawing the same pictures...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-claypool/i-ve-always-said-the-bass-just-happens-to-be-the-crayon-i-picked-out/) [Les Claypool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-claypool/) > [It's important to know how much I'll play and how much the club trusts me, that's why I picked Juventus because they told me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/it-s-important-to-know-how-much-i-ll-play-and-how-much-the-club/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [“I’ve picked a side,” she said darkly. “And everyone’s on it. And that’s exactly who I’m going to save.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-wells/i-ve-picked-a-side-she-said-darkly-and-everyone-s-on-it-and-that-s/) [Dan Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-wells/) > [The moment when you find out when you shoot the pilot - getting the pilot is a small victory. You shoot the pilot, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-dillon/the-moment-when-you-find-out-when-you-shoot-the-pilot-getting-the/) [Kevin Dillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-dillon/) > [When I was 15, I came downstairs one morning, picked up mother's newspaper and, oh, what a shock! The Titanic had gone. The 'unsinkable'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allingham/when-i-was-15-i-came-downstairs-one-morning-picked-up-mother-s/) [Henry Allingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allingham/) > [You pick your destiny or maybe destiny picks you. But it picked me to box, definitely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-ruiz-jr/you-pick-your-destiny-or-maybe-destiny-picks-you-but-it-picked-me-to/) [Andy Ruiz Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-ruiz-jr/) > [I was quiet a lot when I was picked on as a kid because I didn't have anything to say back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leguizamo/i-was-quiet-a-lot-when-i-was-picked-on-as-a-kid-because-i-didn-t-have/) [John Leguizamo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leguizamo/) > [From every little territory I've been, I've picked something up, things that I could use to better my game, to take with me, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-babel/from-every-little-territory-i-ve-been-i-ve-picked-something-up-things/) [Ryan Babel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-babel/) > [I always wanted to do be an allrounder. I don't know why I picked keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinesh-karthik/i-always-wanted-to-do-be-an-allrounder-i-don-t-know-why-i-picked/) [Dinesh Karthik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinesh-karthik/) > [Though my grandmother had picked up modern ideas in America, she still had some conflicting 19th-century Irish notions. She believed that daughters, educated though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-mahoney/though-my-grandmother-had-picked-up-modern-ideas-in-america-she-still/) [Rosemary Mahoney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-mahoney/) ## More by Royce Gracie > [I fight because I want to not because I have to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-fight-because-i-want-to-not-because-i-have-to/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [That's why I like Demian Maia and Fabricio Werdum. Demian will take you down and do his game. Werdum learned the stand-up to know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/that-s-why-i-like-demian-maia-and-fabricio-werdum-demian-will-take/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [I'm a vale-tudo fighter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-m-a-vale-tudo-fighter/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [I only sign one fight at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-only-sign-one-fight-at-a-time/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [Mike Tyson is a good boxer, but he is not the best fighter. I am the best fighter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/mike-tyson-is-a-good-boxer-but-he-is-not-the-best-fighter-i-am-the/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [People that don’t know and hear about it, they start to think that all the people that do jiu-jitsu smokes pot, is a drug…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/people-that-don-t-know-and-hear-about-it-they-start-to-think-that-all/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [I'm happy and satisfied with my accomplishments. I sleep well at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-m-happy-and-satisfied-with-my-accomplishments-i-sleep-well-at-night/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [I never stopped training, I never stopped working out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-never-stopped-training-i-never-stopped-working-out/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [I'm used to teaching classes in the dark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-m-used-to-teaching-classes-in-the-dark/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [I have fought all my life, that is easy for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-have-fought-all-my-life-that-is-easy-for-me/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [The losses are good... if you learn something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/the-losses-are-good-if-you-learn-something/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [When Scott Coker first mentioned to me that Ken Shamrock wanted to fight I said, 'Thank you.' I played a little hard to get,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/when-scott-coker-first-mentioned-to-me-that-ken-shamrock-wanted-to/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [In a street fight there is no time-limit, no weight division, you don't choose your opponent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/in-a-street-fight-there-is-no-time-limit-no-weight-division-you-don-t/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [When you're a fighter, you have to be ready all the time. There's no 'I need a month.' It's always time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/when-you-re-a-fighter-you-have-to-be-ready-all-the-time-there-s-no-i/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) > [Sometimes you watch a tournament with a point system, and it's not the best fighter that wins. It's the guy who scores more points…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/sometimes-you-watch-a-tournament-with-a-point-system-and-it-s-not-the/) [Royce Gracie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) [Explore all 112 Royce Gracie quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/) ## More Never quotes > [It's really fun and challenging to build things that have never been built before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mason/it-s-really-fun-and-challenging-to-build-things-that-have-never-been/) [Hilary Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mason/) > [Usually male directors have to use foul language to get the job done. But I never came down to that level as being a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-khosla-kumar/usually-male-directors-have-to-use-foul-language-to-get-the-job-done/) [Divya Khosla Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-khosla-kumar/) > [I met Rajini sir after 'Jigarthanda,' and he said he liked my film. He told me I could approach him whenever I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karthik-subbaraj/i-met-rajini-sir-after-jigarthanda-and-he-said-he-liked-my-film-he/) [Karthik Subbaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karthik-subbaraj/) > [Luckily, the bullet that hit my chest never got to me. It was stopped by a silver case I got for my brother's wedding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-doohan/luckily-the-bullet-that-hit-my-chest-never-got-to-me-it-was-stopped/) [James Doohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-doohan/) > [Academically, I was never that interested. I skipped classes. My biggest dream was to have a coffee shop, but I had no idea how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-espinosa/academically-i-was-never-that-interested-i-skipped-classes-my-biggest/) [Daniel Espinosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-espinosa/) > [I guess I've never really wanted to be anything else. I've never even thought about having another job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-farrell/i-guess-i-ve-never-really-wanted-to-be-anything-else-i-ve-never-even/) [Owen Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-farrell/) > [I have fallen in love with American names, the sharp names that never get fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-vincent-benet/i-have-fallen-in-love-with-american-names-the-sharp-names-that-never/) [Stephen Vincent Benet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-vincent-benet/) > [I don't think my relationship with the idea of womanhood is that attached to giving birth... like, I'm fully aware that I'll never give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-harrison/i-don-t-think-my-relationship-with-the-idea-of-womanhood-is-that/) [Patti Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-harrison/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [If you’re a person struggling to eat and stay healthy you might have heard about Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali, but you’ll never have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/if-you-re-a-person-struggling-to-eat-and-stay-healthy-you-might-have/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [I'm an actor, so I'm never going to feel like I've done enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/italia-ricci/i-m-an-actor-so-i-m-never-going-to-feel-like-i-ve-done-enough/) [Italia Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/italia-ricci/) > [Never in a million years would I imagine Calvin Klein flying me out to my first men's fashion show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cameron-dallas/never-in-a-million-years-would-i-imagine-calvin-klein-flying-me-out/) [Cameron Dallas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cameron-dallas/) > [Truth be told from compulsive liars with a history/Everything must change 2nd chances are a mystery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-dash/truth-be-told-from-compulsive-liars-with-a-history-everything-must/) [C-DASH](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-dash/) > [I never wanted System to take a hiatus. I think it was a disastrous move for us, because we never reached our peak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dolmayan/i-never-wanted-system-to-take-a-hiatus-i-think-it-was-a-disastrous/) [John Dolmayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dolmayan/) [Browse all 25,855 Never quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never picked an opponent.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Royce Gracie" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-never-picked-an-opponent/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Never" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-never-picked-an-opponent/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55a/royce-gracie-4337_never_i-never-picked-an-opponent-1291121_1291121.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55a/royce-gracie-4337_never_i-never-picked-an-opponent-1291121_1291121.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55a/royce-gracie-4337_never_i-never-picked-an-opponent-1291121_1291121.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I never picked an opponent.” — Royce Gracie", "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": "Royce Gracie", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/royce-gracie/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I never picked an opponent.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-never-picked-an-opponent/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/royce-gracie/i-never-picked-an-opponent/#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 } } ] } ```