"I prefer to play and lose rather than win, because I know in advance I'm going to win."

Failure

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Thematic Reflection

This quotation examines the core nature of Failure as articulated by Eric Cantona. Within historical and literary traditions, reflections on Failure provide actionable mental models, challenging individuals to evaluate personal ethics, self-discipline, and daily actions.

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About Eric Cantona

Éric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former professional footballer. In his football career, Cantona was a physically strong and technically skilful player with both creative and goalscoring ability. Mostly utilised as a deep-lying forward, he was also capable of playing as a centre-forward, a dedicated striker, an attacking midfielder, or a central midfielder. Regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, he was named by Pelé in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004.

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More by Eric Cantona

"Sometimes you surprise the goalkeeper and sometimes the goalkeeper surprises you. In my career, I tried to do more of the first than the second."

— Eric Cantona
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"We knew that you don't get to be world champions without a struggle."

— Eric Cantona
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"What is the system? It revolves around the banks, the system is built on the power of the banks, so it can be destroyed through the banks."

— Eric Cantona
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"I see the world become so uniform. Everybody has to be the same. I like people who are different."

— Eric Cantona
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More about Failure

"As a politician, you have to deal with someone wanting you to fail every day. I think I prefer being in a situation where generally people are rooting for me, and if they aren't rooting for me, they aren't out there to see my downfall. I respect the people who have the stomach for it."

— John Legend
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"Failure's not a bad thing. It builds character. It makes you stronger."

— Billy Dee Williams
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"Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed. If I fail, no one will say, 'She doesn't have what it takes' They will say, 'Women don't have what it takes.'"

— Clare Boothe Luce
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"We burned to death 100,000 Japanese civilians in Tokyo - men, women and children. LeMay recognized that what he was doing would be thought immoral if his side had lost. But what makes it immoral if you lose and not immoral if you win?"

— Robert McNamara
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