The Need to Win
by Chuang Tzu, Taoist philosopher (399-295 BC)

When an archer is shooting at nothing
she has all her skill.
If she shoots for a brass buckle
she is already nervous.
If she shoots for a prize of gold
she goes blind
or sees two targets--
She is out of her mind!

Her skill has not changed.
But the prize
divides her. She cares.
She thinks more of winning
than of shooting--

And the need to win
drains her of power.