proverb · Legacy record
It is better to lose on principle than to win on lies.
It is better to lose on principle than to win on lies.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Losing on principle preferred to winning through lies places integrity above a dishonest outcome. The saying challenges success being judged only by victory.
What the words are saying
A responsible reading still examines whether the principle is fair and how a loss affects others. Calling something a principle does not establish its merit. A useful application can refuse deception without treating every compromise or change of mind as betrayal.
Everyday example
Someone declines to falsify a result and looks for an honest way to improve the work.
When to use it
Use it to discuss integrity with principles open to examination.
Put a useful idea into practice: try the free seven-day guide ↗
What it does not mean
No automatic merit of every asserted principle or duty to reject every compromise follows.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
Australia
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 436; PDF page 41; collection label: Australia
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Australia