somehow, with the passage of time, and the dealines that life imposes, surrending became the right thing to do
If you want something bad enough, never give up (and take a boost when offered).
I don't believe in the no-win scenario
Go out and do for others what somebody did for you.
Never make a decesion until you have to". He'd also warn me that even if I was in a position of strenght, whether at work or in a relationship, I had to play fair. "Just because you're in the driver's seat, doesn't mean you have to run people over.
I was hugely impressed... was the ultimate example of a man who knew what he didn't know, was perfectly willing to admit it, and didn't want to leave until he understood. That's heroic to me. I wish every grad student had that attitude.