if something stands to be gained, nothing will be lost

[frindle2]

Hello. Would you please tell me the meaning of this precept below?
I don't quite follow what it means exactly. Thank you.

"If something stands to be gained, nothing will be lost." by Miguel de Cervantes

(from <365 Days of Wonder> by R. J. Palacio)

 

[emsr2d2]

Hello. Would you please tell me the meaning of this precept below? Are you sure the blue underlined word is the word you meant to use?
I don't quite [STRIKE]follow[/STRIKE] understand what it means exactly. Thank you.

"If something stands to be gained, nothing will be lost (no full stop here)" by Miguel de Cervantes.

(From "365 Days of Wonder" by R. J. Palacio)

Note my corrections and comments above. We don't enclose book titles inside the < and > symbols.

To be entirely honest, I'm not sure I understand it either!

 

[frindle2]

Thank you for your kind reply. The subtitle of "365 Days of Wonder" by R. J. Palacio is "Mr. Browne's Book of Precepts."
I think this precept is about something about 'lost,' but i'm not sure.
Would you please tell me what 'something stands to be gained' literally means then?
Thank you again.

 

[Tdol]

You won't lose if you have a chance of winning.