I read an article a while back, about this very subject.
I've heard it expressed or have observed it at numerous occasions.

What the quote refers to is the situation in which "nice guys" don't end up with girlfriends, decent jobs, exciting lives etc. where "bastards" do.

There's a problem with this. Typically the complaint comes from the 'nice guy' himself. You know, missing out on stuff because no one notices how nice they are, and actually they _deserve_ to do well.

The thing that typically distinguishes bastard from nice guy in these complaints is this: The nice guy was waiting for someone to notice. Waiting for that dream job to come along, or waiting for that girl he is obsessing about to notice.

The best things don't come to those that wait. The best things come to those who are prepared to reach out for their dreams.

Relationships, jobs, life doesn't just magically spread out in front of anyone. If you want a job, they're not going to telepathically figure out that actually you're great and are perfect for this job. Or that girl you fancy can't read your mind, and quite possibly isn't sure either. So unless you make it clear, then nothing is going to happen. And eventually one or other is going to get bored with waiting. Remember, that we're still in a very male oriented society, so if anything the bloke has the _easier_ time.

Occasionally someone will intervene, but more often than not that just creates a short term relationship that's build on a foundation of resentment.

So if you really are a nice guy, who's really talented, and would be great, then don't just let things slip by.

They do say it's better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved.
The correlary is that it's better to ask the question, than to always wonder.

Rejection of any sort sucks but the pain fades quick - after all, if it's not mutual (in either job or relationship) then it's probably not going to work anyway - Following someone around and hoping they'll notice that you're nice is just a good way to annoy yourself, them, and everyone else.

Now me, I'm a coward about such things. I'm getting better at the job thing, but chatting up girls? Naa. I need way more practice before I'm going to feel confident about doing so.

I'm not going to complain at how all these people I thought were gorgeous ended up with the wrong bloke (specifically not me - is that selfish? Yep.). I'm sure most are actually pretty content - after all, they got what they were after.

I never said anything. I never did anything. So can I really be surprised that actually, they didn't notice I was interested?

Nice guys don't come last. They may get less sex overall, but if the day comes that they meet the girl of their dreams, and actually do something about it, then they'll probably be very well set for the rest of their life.

Oh and for the record:
Nice guys don't whine.
... don't think of themselves as 'Nice Guys'.
... don't obsess about someone, hoping they'll notice and think that their obsession is really nice.
... don't wait for the world to come to them.

That's selfish, arrogant, dependant, lazy or introverted.