He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day; but he that is in battle slain, will never rise to fight again
In the long term, only skill matters, so you will win if you play well
Rules for learning "the art" by Miyamoto Musashi (from The Book of Five Rings):
1. Think of what is right and true
2. Practice and cultivate the science
3. Become aquainted with the arts*
4. Know the principles of the crafts*
5. Understand the harm and benefit in everything
6. Learn to see everything accurately
7. Become aware of what is not obvious
8. Become careful even in small matters
9. Do not do anything useless