Page 1469 - Enders_Game_Full_Book

"I don't know. It depends on whether they want to win." Bean grinned.
"Here's the thing, Bean," said Ambul. "Soldiers don't like to lose."
"And *that*," said Bean, "is why losing is a much more powerful teacher than winning."
They heard him. They thought about it. Some of them nodded.
"*If* you live," Bean added. And grinned at them.
They smiled back.
"I gave you the best thing I could think of to give you during this week," said Bean. "And learned from you as much as I was smart enough to learn. Thank you." He stood and saluted them.
They saluted back.
He left.
And went to Rat Army barracks.
"Nikolai just got his orders," a toon leader told him.
For a moment Bean wondered if Nikolai would be going to Tactical School with him. His first thought was, No way is he ready. His second thought was, I wish he could come. His third thought was, I'm not much of a friend, to think first how he doesn't deserve to be promoted.
"What orders?" Bean asked.
"He's got him an army. Hell, he wasn't even a toon leader here. Just *got* here last week." "Which army?"
"Rabbit." The toon leader looked at Bean's uniform again. "Oh. I guess he's replacing *you*." Bean laughed and headed for the quarters he had just left.
Nikolai was sitting inside with the door open, looking lost.
"Can I come in?"
Nikolai looked up and grinned. "Tell me you're here to take your army back."
"I've got a hint for you. Try to win. They think that's important."
"I couldn't believe you lost all five."