It is well to leave off playing when the game is at its best.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

A satisfying moment can be a good stopping point. Continuing solely to extend a success may expose the gain or enjoyment to unnecessary loss.

What the words are saying

The game is still going well when the player leaves, making stopping a positive decision rather than a response to defeat. The saying can apply to recreation, a productive session or another activity whose benefits diminish if it continues too long. Decide in advance what enough would look like, including limits of time, money or energy. That makes leaving less dependent on excitement. The proverb does not identify a dependable winning point in gambling or promise that a successful streak can be recognised in advance.

Everyday example

Friends finish an enjoyable evening game at their agreed time instead of continuing until everyone is tired and irritable.

When to use it

Use it to recognise a worthwhile stopping point during an enjoyable activity.

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Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.