Ignore, then, whether you are tall and thin or short and stocky- whether they laughed at you at home (where they are often unkind) or at school (where they are mostly blind, anyway). Indeed-to hell with the lot of them if you 'feel' you can do it.

The mastery of the true self, and the refusal to permit others to dominate us, is the ultimate in living and self-expression in athletics.

I have found life highly competitive. I accept it. It is useless, merely a hypocritical humbug, to sincerely wish your opponent to win. If you are out to win you are better not wanting to know your opponent, much less grow to like him - and wish him, honestly success over you. I have never functioned that way.

To be great, one does not have to be mad, but definitely it helps.

If it hurts, make it hurt more.

Vincit qui patitur: he conquers, who endures.

Pain is the purifier. Love pain. Embrace pain.