he who laughs last, laughs best

proverb The person who has the final, decisive move or victory in a feud, quarrel, or competition is the only one who is truly successful. He may have won this round, but I'm going to come back in the final. He who laughs last, laughs best. I've waited years for revenge for what you did to me, but he who laughs last, laughs best. Now, your entire empire is in tatters. Don't get too cocky, my friend. It's not over yet, and he who laughs last, laughs best.