Sports: A Human Story Of Symbols And Quotations

Victory or defeat in sports generates a response. Responses are a picture of the soul at a point in time. They reflect deep feelings or lack thereof. Whether you are a fan or a participant, we all have it in us.

The post Barcelona-Real Madrid game responses since last night is a prime example. It is part of what makes us human. Here are some great sporting quotations with some symbolic pictures.

The overall theme is an attempt to paint an expression of the human experience. I have chosen these because of what they say about the range and vitality of the human spirit, and about its major characteristics as well. Happy reading and viewing.

Usain Bolt-Jamaican's Olympics and World 100m record champion. A human bullet.

Victory's Foundation

David Ramos/Getty Images

BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid (L) and head coach Josep Guardiola of Barcelona shake hands prior to the La Liga match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at the Camp Nou Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Barcelona, Sp

King Basil: Sports: Motivation Quotes

Victory becomes, to some degree, a state of mind. Knowing ourselves superior to the anxieties, troubles, and worries which obsess us, we are superior to them.

From left to right, managers Jose Mourinho of Real Madrid and Pep Guardiola of Barcelona after the 5-0 spanking Real received Monday night at the Camp Nou Stadium.

Fear Not

Uriel Sinai/Getty Images

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - OCTOBER 21: (ISRAEL OUT) A Israeli chess player makes a move against Grandmaster Alik Gershon, during an attempt to break the Guinness world record of simultaneous chess play on October 21, 2010 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Hundreds of chess pl

Ancient Samurai saying: Sports: Motivation Quotes

Warriors take chances. Like everyone else, they fear failing, but they refuse to let fear control them.

A chessboard where two brains go to war.

Fighting Spirit

Hannah Johnston/Getty Images

GUANGZHOU, CHINA - NOVEMBER 22: Jung Hwan Kim of South Korea competes in the Men's Team Sabre Final against Jingzhi Wang of China at Guangda Gymnasium during day ten of the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 on November 22, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Phot

Dwight D. Eisenhower: Sports: Motivation Quotes

What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the dog.

Fencing: A game of skill and finesse.

Sweet Air Of Achievement

Christopher Lee/Getty Images

PARIS - NOVEMBER 27: Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany celebrate winning Gold in the Pairs Program during the ISU GP Trophee Eric Bompard 2010 at the Palais omnisport de Paris Bercy on November 27, 2010 in Paris, France. (Photo by Christoph

John F. Kennedy: Sports: Motivation Quotes

Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.

Ice skating: A mixture between elegance and chemistry on ice.

Triumph Of Endurance

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

GUANGZHOU, CHINA - NOVEMBER 23: The peloton cycles during the Women's Individual Road Race of road cycling at Triathlon Venue on November 23, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Napoleon Bonaparte: Sports: Motivation Quotes

Victory belongs to the most persevering.

Cycling: A test of will.

Balance Of Experience

Hannah Johnston/Getty Images

GUANGZHOU, CHINA - NOVEMBER 17: Stepan Gorbachev of Kazakhstan competes in the Men's Horizontal bars final during the artistic gymnastics on day five of the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 at Asian Games Town Gymnasium on November 17, 2010 in Guangzhou,

Malcolm Forbes: Sports: Motivation Quotes

Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat.

A Gymnast showing artistic grace under pressure.

Living Dimensions

Feng Li/Getty Images

GUANGZHOU, CHINA - NOVEMBER 18: Two Chinese men perform the acrobatics at break during day six of the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 at Dongguan Gymnasium on November 18, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Photo by Feng Li/Getty Images)

Louis Armstrong: Sports: Motivation Quotes

What we play is life.

Acrobats showing poise and timing.

Living Legends

Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Scotland's WBO super featherweight champion Ricky Burns from Coatbridge in action during a public workout at Braehead, ahead of the WBO super featherweight title bout against Colombian Andreas Evensen, on November 25, 20

Zig Ziglar: Sports: Motivation Quotes

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.

A boxer in a pre-fight preparation.

Destiny's Call

Andrew Redington/Getty Images

24 Oct 2000: Vladimir Kramnik of Russia (left) and Garry Kasparov (right) write down their tactics during the World Chess Championships played at the Riverside Studios, London. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Redington/ALLSPORT

Albert Einstein: Sports: Inspirational Quotes

Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means.

Vladimir Kramnik and Garry Kasparov during the 2000 Brain-games World Chess Championship held in London from Oct. 8 to Nov. 4 which Kramnik won: two wins, 13 draws and no losses- to dethrone chess legend and the game's greatest player of all time, Kasparov.

Determination

Fernando Camino/Getty Images

MARBELLA, SPAIN - AUGUST 06: Cayetano Rivera attends 'Corrida de los Candiles' bullfights in Marbella on August 6, 2010 in Marbella, Spain. The bullfights are held as a celebration and tribute to all those bullfighters who started bullfighting at night u

John D. Rockefeller: Sports: Inspirational Quotes

Singleness of purpose is one of the chief essentials for success in life, no matter what may be one's aim.

A Spanish Bull-fighter (El Matador) in action. A dangerous but delightful sport.