marie-christine périé May 17, 2009:

With the context, I see now my translation is probably wrong. Sorry about that...

Florence Ciret-Strecker, Ph.D (asker) May 16, 2009:

Vos explications m'ont conduite à reconsidérer ma perspective - Est-ce qu'il n'y aurait pas une expression/un dicton français du style "Partir perdant, c'est avoir perdu d'avance" qui se rapprocherait plus du sens original de l'expression EN ?

FX Fraipont (X) May 16, 2009:

good losers are losers first I think that the context you have provided, namely
"nothing ventured, nothing gained," (positive)
"strike while the iron is hot," (positive)
and the third one is "good losers usually are" (negative)
reinforces the point made by Polyglot, Kashew and Tony.
It makes perfect sense in your list of sayings that mean, "If you want to make it, you have to fight for it; don't settle with being a good loser, you'd be a loser".
I really thing the translation you have chosen says quite the opposite of what the sentence means.

Florence Ciret-Strecker, Ph.D (asker) May 16, 2009:

Thank you all for all these different suggestions - for information, however, the phrase appeared amongst a couple of other sayings, meant to describe the style and personality of those who like to achieve things, be productive or win. Three sayings are listed to reflect the person's mindset: "nothing ventured, nothing gained," "strike while the iron is hot," and the third one is "good losers usually are." That context gives a little perspective on the signification. I am surprised to discover there may not be a more catchy saying/proverb in French that matches the expression. I thought "les beaux joueurs font les bons perdants" was closer to the original EN sentence. I am still open to more options if you would like to submit or suggest something else. Thank you all!

Tony M May 16, 2009:

Yup! That's really the say I see it too — if you don't really mind losing, then you probably will (due to lack of motivation, competitive spirit, etc.)

kashew May 16, 2009:

Anothet way of looking at it Good losers lose most of the time