Student: In most fighting arts, students have invariably approached and surpassed the achievements of their teachers. Why is it that none of your pupils approach you? [...] What is the secret?
Master: You are right, there is a secret. But it is so simple as to be unbelievable. Its nature insists that you believe, that you have faith: otherwise you will fail. The secret is simply this: you must relax body and mind totally. You must be prepared to accept defeat repeatedly and for a long period: you must "invest in loss" - otherwise you will never succeed. I succeeded to my present state because I pushed pride aside and believed my master's words. [...] My students either do not believe this path or, if they do, they do not pursue it eagerly enough.

From 'T'ai Chi, The "Supreme Ultimate"' by Cheng Man-ch'ing and Robert W Smith, ISBN 0804835934