"勝者によって歴史が書かれる。"

The idea here is pretty simple: the people who come out on top are the ones who get to tell the story. Think about it. If you win a game, you get to describe how it played out, what strategies worked, and maybe even gloss over the moments where you were uncertain or almost lost. The losers, on the other hand, don’t get a say in how the story is remembered. It’s kind of like a permanent victory lap for the winners.

Now, this phrase has been around for a while. It’s often attributed to Winston Churchill, though there’s some debate about that. Whoever said it first, the saying really took off because it nailed down a truth we all kind of knew but hadn’t quite put into words. Throughout history, we’ve seen that those who end up in power shape the narrative. Whether it’s nations that win wars, companies that dominate their industries, or even individuals who come out ahead in a personal feud, they’re the ones who get to control how the story is told.

Let’s break it down with a real-life example. Picture the end of World War II. The Allies won, and they got to describe the events leading up to the victory. They documented the war crimes, the heroism, and the strategy that led to their winning. The Axis powers? Their side of the story got buried, vilified, and largely ignored. The war crimes committed by the losing side were highlighted, while the questionable tactics used by the victors were often downplayed or justified. This doesn’t mean the Allies were wrong to highlight these atrocities, but it does show how the winners control the narrative.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? First, recognize that the story people hear might not be the whole truth. When you’re listening to someone who’s succeeded, remember there’s another side to the story that might not be getting told. Second, if you’re in a position of power or you’ve just “won” something—a promotion, an award, an argument—be conscious of how you present the story. Are you being fair to the other side? Are you acknowledging the full picture, including your own mistakes?

Imagine you’re at work and there’s a project that didn’t go as planned. However, you managed to turn things around at the last moment, and your boss is thrilled. You get to present the outcome to the team. You could just focus on your last-minute save and bask in the glory, or you could tell the whole story—recognize that it was a team effort, acknowledge the missteps, and give credit where it’s due. This way, you’re not just taking all the credit for yourself, and you’re presenting a more honest narrative.

Here’s a story that might make this clearer. Think about a high school sports team. Imagine they’ve just won the state championship. The captain, during the victory speech, could easily talk about their own amazing plays and the final winning goal they scored. But a more impactful speech might also include a shout-out to the players who trained hard behind the scenes, the coach who strategized, and even the opponents who pushed them to be better. This kind of storytelling doesn’t just make the captain look good—it builds up the entire team and gives a fuller picture of what actually happened.

In the end, the takeaway is simple: while winners get to write history, it’s up to all of us to strive for the complete story, the honest version, and the one that respects all perspectives.