Even against the greatest of odds, there is something in the human spirit- a magic blend of skill, faith, and valor- that can lift men from certain defeat to incredible victory.
Walter Lord in World War II Memorial in Washington, DC
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy! | In Romanian
Related quotes
The Proof Of Worth
Though victory's proof of the skill you possess,
Defeat is the proof of your grit;
A weakling can smile in his days of success,
But at trouble's first sign he will quit.
So the test of the heart and the test of your pluck
Isn't skies that are sunny and fair,
But how do you stand to the blow that is struck
And how do you battle despair?
A fool can seem wise when the pathway is clear
And it's easy to see the way out,
But the test of man's judgment is something to fear,
And what does he do when in doubt?
And the proof of his faith is the courage he shows
When sorrows lie deep in his breast;
It's the way that he suffers the griefs that he knows
That brings out his worst or his best.
The test of a man is how much he will bear
For a cause which he knows to be right,
How long will he stand in the depths of despair,
How much will he suffer and fight?
There are many to serve when the victory's near
And few are the hurts to be borne,
But it calls for a leader of courage to cheer
The men in a battle forlorn.
It's the way you hold out against odds that are great
That proves what your courage is worth,
It's the way that you stand to the bruises of fate
That shows up your stature and girth.
And victory's nothing but proof of your skill,
Veneered with a glory that's thin,
Unless it is proof of unfaltering will,
And unless you have suffered to win.
poem by Edgar Albert Guest
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
To the Victor
You have outstripped me in the race,
Your brow shall wear the laurel's grace;
But though on-speeding in your might
You pass beyond my straining sight,
My spirit shall with yours keep pace!
For I have dreamed your dream divine,
For I have worshiped at the shrine
Whose oracles your faith have moved,
For I have loved what you have loved—
Your victory is also mine!
Shall the grave gods pronounce their choice
And I not lift in praise my voice?
Or shall another win the goal
Whose vision hath illumed my soul,
And I, though distant, not rejoice?
Ah, no! Your greater gifts prevail;
But though to reach your side I fail,
Through you triumphant in defeat,
Even in death I will repeat,—
Hail to the victor! Hail! . . .
poem by Florence Earle Coates from Poems (1898)
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
Vote! | Copy!
The Real Victory
The Real Victory
Victory and defeat in war,
Are the childish justifications.
Colour not your hands,
With the precious substance of Man.
Whether you nourish your mind,
With the elating thought of victory,
Or loathe with a despising thought of defeat,
You kill fathers, brothers and sons,
You kill mothers, sisters and daughters,
Even the infants sleeping in cradles,
You kill them with their innocent dreams,
They hardly know the self-made conflicts,
Flourishing, booming in the world.
Discard devices that you carry in hands,
And think awhile
Whether you kill or you are killed,
You fight against humanity,
You fight against the divine laws,
You fight against the Kingdom of God.
Apply your strength if indispensable,
Lance eyes of the Shark of Ignorance,
Stifle; choke the Demons of Illness,
Wrench neck of the Ghost of Hunger,
Break teeth of the Vampire of Poverty,
By connecting the hearts of humanity,
With the bonds of trust, faith and love.
For the sake of oil and reserves,
Make not the world a mess.
If you intend to defeat the rivals,
Defeat them in the race of good deeds,
Yes, defeat them in the race of good deeds,
You know not the real victory you may get,
But without bloodshed and with out making,
The world a storehouse of weapons.
poem by Muhammad Shanazar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
The spirit of man has awakened and the soul of man has gone forth. Grant us the wisdom and the vision to comprehend the greatness of man's spirit, that suffers and endures so hugely for a goal beyond his own brief span. Grant us honor for our dead who died in the faith, honor for our living who work and strive for the faith, redemption and security for all captive lands and peoples. Grant us patience with the deluded and pity for the betrayed. And grant us the skill and valor that shall cleanse the world of oppression and the old base doctrine that the
strong must eat the weak because they are strong. Yet most of all grant us brotherhood, not only for this day but for all our years — a brotherhood not of words but of acts and deeds. We are all of us children of earth — grant us that simple knowledge. If our brothers are oppressed, then we are oppressed. If they hunger, we hunger. If their freedom is taken away, our freedom is not secure. Grant us a common faith that man shall know bread and peace — that he shall know justice and righteousness, freedom and security, an equal opportunity and an equal chance to do his best, not only in our own lands, but throughout the world. And in that faith let us march toward the clean world our hands can make. Amen.
quote by Stephen Vincent Benet
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
Vote! | Copy!
Rise, Rise to the Occasion
Rise, rise to the occasion
Rise, rise to the invitations of life
Oh rise, rise to the music of joy
Uh rise, rise to the victory over strife!
This is the time for you to march forward
Oh son of the Mighty! Valor is the key
This is the urgency to show courage abundant
Oh daughter of Energy! Courage is the key
Rise, rise to the tide and rise to the low
Defeat lethargy and defeat fear
Mind the goal and attain it
The guts are here and the glory is here
Face the challenge, embrace it
Cross the puddles and the furrows
Calm the heart and fight the battle
Celebration’s for you – not the sorrows
Rise, rise then, rise O bright!
Rise, rise then to the right
Tire not, rise till the end of the path
Rise, rise then to all the might!
poem by Bhaswat Chakraborty
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
We Win
We overcome by Your Word
Your Word will always prevail
We overcome by the blood of the Lamb
And the promise we have in You
We lift our voice with a shout
You always cause us to trumph
We lift our hands like it's already done
For it's already won by You
(Chorus)
We win because of You
We overcome and conquer in Your name
We win because of You
All things are possible
We win
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
We got the victory
We got the victory
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
We got the victory
It's all because of You
We win
(Repeat Chorus)
song performed by by Israel
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
It is a law of human nature that in victory even the coward may boast of his prowess, while defeat injures the reputation even of the brave.
How Do You Use Your Gifts?
I'm using my blessings and faith,
To create identifiable miracles.
And you?
How do you use your gifts?
In the begging of stuff?
That others have?
By using their own,
Faith kept persisted.
And what they have manage to materialize,
Makes you jealous and mad?
Your selfishness is pathetic!
How do you use your gifts?
Do you help lift other minds around.
How do you use your gifts?
Do you help lift other minds around.
How do you use your gifts?
Do you help lift other minds around.
How do you use your gifts?
In the begging of stuff?
That others have?
By using their own,
Faith kept persisted.
How do you use your gifts?
Do you help lift other minds around.
How do you use your gifts?
Do you help lift other minds around.
How do you use your gifts?
Do you help lift other minds around.
How do you use your gifts?
Do you help lift other minds around.
How do you use your gifts?
Do you help lift other minds around.
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Peace
No more to watch by Night's eternal shore,
With England's chivalry at dawn to ride;
No more defeat, faith, victory---O! no more
A cause on earth for which we might have died.
poem by Sir Henry Newbolt
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Ivisible Battlefield
Invisible Battlefield
There's a war that rages daily With many a battle fought And it seems that no one really Understands the foe named 'thought'...
Pastor..
He seems so small and passive Sometimes he's good and kind But his evil can be massive As war wages in our mind..
Throughout Faith in Action
It's an invisible battlefield No allies at our side As the foe its power wields We cannot run and hide...
But we have a Great Captain in our Pastor And He alone can see Each battle and each out-come Defeat or victory..
Throughout Faith in Action
It's an invisiblebattlefield But we have God's true Word We have faith's invisibleshield We have the Spirit's sword..
Throughout Faith in Action..
The demons, darkness, evil forces Strive to take control But they cannot alter courses With the One who saves our soul..
Throughout Faith in Action..
It's an invisiblebattlefield No one to cheer with glee As evil thoughts and armiesyield To inner victories..
Throughout Faith in Action..
For many a tear-stained battle Upon these plains are fought With many a plea and many a prayer Prayed for this foe named 'thought'..
Throughout Faith in Action..
Someday beyond these borders This battle will bedone As God our foot-steps orders We'll fight them one by one
Trust our Pastor..
With Him, the foe we'll conquer He is a faithful shield For He is Lord and Master Of our invisiblebattlefield...
RK. Hudson
poem by Ron Poetry
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
On His First Year In The Study Of Law
soon you will learn
how power is sown
here
they all start from the
good grasp of the law
memorizing
the essence of
its spirit
intended for that perpetual
quest of justice
and peace but at this early
you must have realized
mr. novice
that that is only a matter
of euphemism
for after all those years
of hardship
you shall then insist on
reaping the fruits of your
intellectual labor
for in the skill of your hands
and your wits
less now the humor
you will know by then
how to make the needed twists
and blend the turns
the law now becoming
your ardent servant
to pursue that most private
pursuit of personal happiness
totally disregarding
the demands of public welfare
that greatest law
set aside
in favor of your
selfish interest...
welcome
take the initial seat of power
and now we prepare
you for that insatiable greed
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Incredible
How do You do
The things that You say
And do?
And keep so close
Yet You don't appear to me?
My faith in You
Is true and I don't deny
You fill my heart
With joy
That I do not hide!
Incredible!
This power that is great!
So great it can't be ended.
Incredible!
This feeling that creates...
My needs to keep defending You!
How do
You do
The things
You say that come true?
And keep
So close
Yet You...
Can be everywhere?
My faith
In You
Shines through
And I don't deny
You fill
My heart
With joy
I will never hide!
Incredible!
This power that is great.
So great it can't be ended.
Incredible!
This feeling satiates...
My need to keep defending You!
Incredible to me is You!
How do you keep this like You do?
Always fresh and always new!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Victims
An unassailable victory has been in demand,
To forgo is to relax and be polite like a mummy.
To abjure the heaven is to relate to disorder,
And where is now the victory? Where now?
My victim is completely with defeat,
His victory has cancelled due to defeat
And my revenge, for it is never wrong.
Revenge gave innocence to the soul.
My living is for the one who lives the longest,
The death of the victim is important;
Likewise, the life of a victim is so great
That I need to repent and be forgiven.
Sins are a waste of time to some who denounce,
They let evils destroy us, with sins to double.
Victims of displeasures need favours of greatness,
The whole year passes without a thought for others.
poem by Naveed Akram
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
To the Wild Sky
To the wild sky
Lift thy tortured hands
Oh thou puny insignificant man
Let thy voice ring, in triumph defy
The scorching sun of the wild sky
The raging wind cant hold u down
The warrior spark in thee is found
Rain, sleet and snow may fall
But thou wilt fight on through all
Though thy muscles ache and burn
'tween victory and defeat discern
And as thou conquer raise thy hands high
Lift them up to the wild sky
poem by Joses Tirtabudi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.
I want to lift the audience to the miraculous in human nature. After all, we shouldn't be here, with all the odds against us in nature. It's kind of unusual and wonderful!
quote by Paul Taylor
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!
My Portion is Defeat—today
639
My Portion is Defeat—today—
A paler luck than Victory—
Less Paeans—fewer Bells—
The Drums don't follow Me—with tunes—
Defeat—a somewhat slower—means—
More Arduous than Balls—
'Tis populous with Bone and stain—
And Men too straight to stoop again—,
And Piles of solid Moan—
And Chips of Blank—in Boyish Eyes—
And scraps of Prayer—
And Death's surprise,
Stamped visible—in Stone—
There's somewhat prouder, over there—
The Trumpets tell it to the Air—
How different Victory
To Him who has it—and the One
Who to have had it, would have been
Contender—to die—
poem by Emily Dickinson
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Fate of Men
As straight as a path might lead, there lies a man’s innocence
One we can never bear to try understanding
Underneath love is love, hidden inside its own self
A road to every human’s both wisest wisdom and craziest craze
Existence is about overwhelming the overwhelmed
Victory that leads to the greatest lost men could imagine
Journey in search of faith ends up in misery
As tragic as destiny of man, undead, but not alive
Nothing matters but pride of being our own men
Freedom that kills to be granted to the soul
It’s the fate every human must bear to face and deny altogether
To keep the survival of the never-ending destiny
poem by Clara Odelia Ciutara
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
Blend
blend, how did i ever use that word in my life?
blend with the people i work with, dissolve in their ordinariness
so i cannot be noticed anymore
i wear the same clothes, same brand and even same color to blend
with all of them, and so i am in, not a deviant, not an opposition
not a rebel but a supporter of their cause
blend with the crowd like cuts of carrots and apples and melons
in a blender and nothing is identifiable in that concoction
blend and blend and blend myself with the world and this universe
escape from my uniqueness betray my individuality
as all creeks and rivers all flow to the sea as one entity
away from loneliness, losing myself my thoughts
the I surrendering to the we, the coward one,
blending, and now there is no one, yet why this poetry apart from you?
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
Vote! | Copy!
You ask, What is our policy? I will say; "It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy." You ask, What is our aim? I can answer with one word: Victory - victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival.
quote by Winston Churchill
Submitted by Lucian Velea
Vote! | Copy!