Competition is the whetstone of talent.

He that fights and runs away, may live to fight another day.

Fight fire with fire.

People will ignore their misfortunes and their interests when they are in competition with their pleasures.

The Dreamer awakes
The shadow goes by
The tale I have told you,
That tale is a lie.
But listen to me,
Bright maiden, proud youth
The tale is a lie;
What it tells is the truth.

We are still in the middle of the competition.