Defeat is not bitter unless you swallow it.

– Joe Clark

Defeat is not bitter unless you swallow it?

What do you think of this quote?

It’s not quite working for me.

I mean, I think I know what Mr. Clark is getting at — when defeated, don’t internalize it. Don’t personalize it. Don’t let it become you …

But you don’t have to swallow something bitter to taste its bitterness, right?

I think defeat tastes bitter. And, like a bitter taste, defeat is unpleasant.

And you don’t need to swallow to taste its bitterness.

But I desperately need to salvage the quote! I think I have just the fix. Forgive me, Mr. Clark; but I am going to improve your quote.

Here’s what I’m thinking —

Defeat is bitter, but it isn’t fatal unless you swallow it.

W hat do you think of that quote?

Defeat is always bitter.

But when we internalize … personalize … swallow … the defeat becomes us … we become defeated.

What was only unpleasant, becomes fatal.

Because what dies is our urge to compete. Or our initiative. Our drive. Our self-confidence. Our self-worth.

Bitter is bad, but it’s not that bad …

Defeat is bitter tasting; but it’s only temporary.

Unless we make it permanent. Unless we make it fatal.

Unless we swallow.