Which is more important in a competition, playing or winning?

.. ...the superior foe teaches the adversary. This is why one never chooses to engage before knowing one will in the finality, win.

I will incinerate your mind if I answer this directly so it is safer to only hint at the truth.

Unworthy warriors make dishonorable wins. If one's enemy loses by winning or wins by losing, a battle lost, and a war, won. So it was from the beginning unto the end of time.