Beat a million men in battle. Beat yourself, and you're the greater victor.

What it means

Conquering a thousand times a thousand men is less than conquering one: yourself. The hardest opponent is the one who knows all your excuses. Win that fight first.

The source

"Beat a million men in battle. Beat yourself, and you're the greater victor." The Buddha said it in Dhammapada 103. Translated from the original Pali by Spartan Surfers.

"Yo sahassaṁ sahassena, saṅgāme mānuse jine; Ekañca jeyyamattānaṁ, sa ve saṅgāmajuttamo."

Original Pali, Dhammapada 103. Text read at suttacentral.net.

Who said it

The Buddha (c. 5th century BC). Siddhattha Gotama, the teacher from northern India whose path of insight and practice became Buddhism. His sayings survive in the Pali Canon, including the Dhammapada.

Questions

What does "Beat a million men in battle. Beat yourself, and you're the greater victor." mean?

Conquering a thousand times a thousand men is less than conquering one: yourself. The hardest opponent is the one who knows all your excuses. Win that fight first.

Who said "Beat a million men in battle. Beat yourself, and you're the greater victor."?

The Buddha (c. 5th century BC). Source: Dhammapada 103.

What is the original Pali?

Yo sahassaṁ sahassena, saṅgāme mānuse jine; Ekañca jeyyamattānaṁ, sa ve saṅgāmajuttamo. Translated from the original Pali by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Beat a million men in battle. Beat yourself, and you're the greater victor." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 6 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Beat a million men in battle. Beat yourself, and you're the greater victor." (The Buddha, Dhammapada 103, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/beat-a-million-men-in-battle-beat-yourself