"彼が負けたときに自分を哀れむ気持ちを持つならば、どの戦士もその敗北を生き延びることはできないと私は知っています。"

When a person succumbs to self-pity after a loss, they can't really move forward. Whether you're an athlete, a student, or anyone facing challenges, wallowing in self-pity can be paralyzing. It's the difference between bouncing back and staying stuck.

This idea has deep roots in competitive sports. Imagine a boxer like Muhammad Ali. Ali faced defeat several times, but he never allowed those losses to define him. He’d analyze his defeats, identify what went wrong, and come back stronger. His resilience—his refusal to feel sorry for himself—cemented his legacy as one of the greatest.

Think about a real-life example: J.K. Rowling, who faced numerous rejections before Harry Potter became a household name. Each rejection could have led her into a spiral of self-doubt and self-pity. But she didn’t let it. Instead, she used each setback as motivation. Had she decided to lament her failures, we might never have known the magic of Hogwarts.

So, how do you apply this in your life? Start by acknowledging your feelings—it's okay to feel disappointed. But don't let that disappointment turn into self-pity. Use setbacks as learning opportunities. Maybe you didn't get the job you wanted; ask for feedback, improve your skills, and try again. Each failure is a stepping stone, not a dead end.

Now, let’s paint a picture to make this concrete. Imagine you're a high school basketball player. You’ve just lost the championship game. It’s crushing. Your teammates are hanging their heads, feeling the sting of defeat. You could join them—spend your days thinking about what could have been, beating yourself up over missed shots. But what if, instead, you gather your team, watch the game footage, and analyze your mistakes? Work harder in practice, focus on improving your weak spots. Next year, when the championship rolls around again, you’re not just back—you’re better.

This advice isn’t just for athletes. It’s for anyone facing a setback. Got a bad grade? Don’t dwell on it. Figure out where you went wrong and do better next time. Missed a promotion at work? Don’t get stuck in a rut of self-pity. Ask for feedback, upskill, and show your value.

Feeling sorry for yourself is a natural instinct, but it's also a trap. It keeps you stuck in the past, replaying your failures instead of learning from them and moving forward. Imagine if Edison had given up after his early failures—there’d be no light bulbs illuminating our world. Or if the Wright brothers had sulked after their initial crashes—air travel as we know it might not exist.

So next time you face a defeat, remember: feeling sorry for yourself won’t help. It’s okay to feel the pain, but don’t let it consume you. Take a deep breath, stand up, and figure out your next move. Each step forward—no matter how small—takes you away from defeat and closer to your next victory.