If you don't give up, you still have a chance. And when you are small, you have to be very focused and rely on your brain, not your strength.
Interpretation
Persistence and intelligence are key to overcoming challenges, especially when resources are limited.
Jack Ma emphasizes the importance of persistence in achieving success, suggesting that as long as one does not give up, there remains hope for achievement. He further points out that for those who might feel small or disadvantaged, it's essential to rely on intellect and focus rather than physical strength to navigate challenges.
In practice
This quote can be used in a motivational speech to encourage students to never give up on their dreams.
Hong Kong people say Hong Kong needs to preserve its uniqueness. I say Hong Kong's uniqueness is in its diversity, its tolerance of difference cultures... China does not want to see Hong Kong in decline. I have full confidence in its future.
If we are a good team and know what we want to do, one of us can defeat tons of them.
It's not that other countries steal jobs from you guys. It's your strategy. Distribute the money and things in a proper way.
Helping doing business easier, we choose the name Alibaba because it is a global company. It is founded in China, but it was created for the world.
In the beginning I just wanted to survive. For the first three years, we made zero revenue. I remember many times when I was trying to pay up, the restaurant owner would say, 'Your bill was paid.' And there would be a note saying, 'Mr. Ma, I'm your customer on the Alibaba platform. I made a lot of money, and I know you don't, so I paid the bill.'
Even if your competitor is still small in size or weak, you should take him seriously and treat him as a giant. Likewise, even if your competitor is massive in size, you shouldn't regard yourself as a weakling.
Be Sure you Are Stepping to the Music you Hear - No Matter what Other People Think.
When you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it.
There is no failure for the man who realizes his power, who never knows when he is beaten; there is no failure for the determined endeavor, the conquerable will. There is no failure for the man who gets up every time he falls, who rebounds like a rubber ball, who persists when everyone else gives up, who pushes on when everyone else turns back.
Do not aim low, you will miss the mark. Aim high and you will be on a threshold of bliss.
If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it.
The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences.
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