Winning, losing and participating have equal importance. Each of us needs to experience both winning and losing in order to know how to participate in the best way for ourself and others. If you always lose, you lose hope and drive and you will cease participating, or at least you will not participate to your fullest. If you always win, you begin to feel superior, but more importantly, you do not have the benefit of learning from mistakes and failure which leads to self-improvement. I believe that many of the challenges we have in global relations result from an imbalance in winning and losing. And that starts, not at a country level but at a personal level. I try to cherish my mistakes as much as my successes. I need both to keep participating.

As for me, participating is far more important than winning. Participating is more important because it gives you the experience and, thus, will make you prepared for more of the same situation in your life. As what others may say, winning is just an icing on the cake and participating, for me, is the cake. ^_^

Hehehe. Let me give you a politically correct answer: Participation. The experience you have gained throughout the process is SOMETIMES more valuable than the outcome itself. Here comes my personal answer :D When the reward becomes so great that you cannot resist, winning becomes more important.

I think it really depends on what's at stake. If something or someone I love depends on me I will win at all costs. It really depends on the situation, and the context.

Participation. There is a saying in English that goes like this: It is not if you win or lose; it's how you play the game. I really believe this to be true. Unfortunately, many people don't. It is win at all costs.