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Don't play it safe. Resist the seductions of the cowardly values our society has come to prize so highly: comfort, convenience, security, predictability, control. These, too, are nets. Above all, resist the fear of failure. Yes, you will make mistakes. But they will be your mistakes, not someone else's. And you will survive them, and you will know yourself better for having made them, and you will be a fuller and a stronger person.
William Deresiewicz
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Embrace risks and face failure, as doing so leads to personal growth and self-discovery.

William Deresiewicz's quote encourages individuals to move beyond societal norms that prioritize safety and control. By taking risks and confronting the fear of failure, one can experience personal growth and develop a deeper understanding of oneself. Making mistakes is a part of life, and rather than succumbing to the comfort of predictability, embracing challenges can lead to a more fulfilling and resilient existence.

Themes

RiskFailureGrowthCourageSelf-Discovery

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about entrepreneurship, one could use this quote to inspire resilience in the face of business challenges.

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But it is not the job of truth to make us feel good. It is the job of truth to be true, and it is our job to deal with it.
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