You will never stub your toe standing still. The faster you go, the more chance there is of stubbing your toe, but the more chance you have of getting somewhere.
Charles KetteringRead
Do not bring me your successes; they weaken me. Bring me your problems; they strengthen me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of challenges over successes, suggesting that problems can lead to personal growth.
In this quote, Charles Kettering highlights the idea that facing and overcoming difficulties is crucial for personal strength and development. Instead of celebrating achievements, which may create complacency, he encourages bringing forth challenges, as they foster resilience and skill enhancement. This perspective invites a focus on growth through adversity rather than on the comfort of success.
Themes
ProblemsStrengthSuccessGrowthChallenges
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to inspire a team to embrace challenges.
More from Charles Kettering
All quotes βIt is the 'follow through' that makes the great difference between ultimate success and failure, because it is so easy to stop.
Charles KetteringRead
When I was research head of General Motors and wanted a problem solved, I'd place a table outside the meeting room with a sign: "Leave slide rules here." If I didn't do that, I'd find someone reaching for his slide rule. Then he'd be on his feet saying, "Boss, you can't do it."
Charles KetteringRead
A research problem is not solved by apparatus; it is solved in a man's head.
Charles KetteringRead
My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.
Charles KetteringRead
I often say that research is a way of finding out what you are going to do when you can't keep on doing what you are doing now.
Charles KetteringRead
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I think the first virtue is to restrain the tongue; he approaches nearest to gods who knows how to be silent, even though he is in the right.
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Every woman I had ever met who walked through the world appraised and classified by an extraordinary physicality had also received the keys to an unbearable solitude. It was the coefficient of their beauty, the price they had to pay.
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