Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure.
Thomas Watson, Jr.Read
If you stand up and be counted, from time to time you may get yourself knocked down. But remember this: A man flattened by an opponent can get up again. A man flattened by conformity stays down for good.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Standing up for oneself may lead to challenges, but resilience against conformity is essential for growth.
This quote emphasizes the importance of courage and resilience in the face of adversity. While standing up for one's beliefs or individuality may result in setbacks or challenges, it is vital to remember that true defeat comes from succumbing to conformity. A person who allows themselves to be flattened by the pressure to conform remains stuck, whereas those who rise after being knocked down demonstrate strength and the ability to overcome obstacles.
Themes
CourageResilienceConformityOvercomeAdversity
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about facing challenges in the workplace.
More from Thomas Watson, Jr.
All quotes →The worst possible thing ... was to lie dead in the water with any problem. Solve it, solve it quickly ... If you solved it wrong, it would come back and slap you in the face, and then you could solve it right.
Thomas Watson, Jr.Read
Great design will not sell an inferior product, but it will enable a great product to achieve its maximum potential.
Thomas Watson, Jr.Read
Similar quotes
It takes courage to die for a cause, but also to live for one.
Azar NafisiRead
It's hard to take people seriously who say you're totally irresponsible if you go out and climb mountains when you have kids, because they clearly don't understand the circumstances. You can't impose your own acceptance of risk on other people - that's not fair.
Jimmy ChinRead
The one perfectly divine thing, the one glimpse of God's paradise given on earth, is to fight a losing battle - and not lose it.
Gilbert K. ChestertonRead
They won't break me because the desire for freedom, and the freedom of the Irish people, is in my heart. The day will dawn when all the people of Ireland will have the desire for freedom to show. It is then that we will see the rising of the moon.
Bobby SandsRead
When I started boxing, people laughed at me and said, 'What can women do in boxing?' I took it as a challenge. If men can do it, why can't women? And I became a world champion before my marriage.
Mary KomRead
Surely the best way to meet the enemy is head on in the field and not wait till they plunder our very homes.
Oliver GoldsmithRead