Pyrrhus, when his friends congratulated to him his victory over the Romans under Fabricius, but with great slaughter of his own side, said to them, Yes; but if we have such another victory, we are undone.1
ATTRIBUTION:
Apothegms. No. 193.
Note 1. There are some defeats more triumphant than victories.Montaigne: Of Cannibals, chap. xxx. [back]