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
There are periods on the mountain when you exist between living and dying, sometimes for days. I went through that with my brother on Nanga Parbat. It is very difficult, but it is the most intense experience. And always after such experiences, when I was back among people, I felt I had been reborn.
Reinhold MessnerRead
It was easy to persecute me without people feeling ashamed. It was easy to vilify me and project me as a woman who was not following the tradition of a 'good African woman' and as a highly educated elitist who was trying to show innocent African women ways of doing things that were not acceptable to African men.
Wangari MaathaiRead
Succeed in not fearing the lion, and the lion will fear YOU. Say to suffering, 'I will that you shall become a pleasure,' and it will prove to be such-- and even more than a pleasure, it will be a blessing.
Eliphas LeviRead
In such a regime, I say, you died a good death if your life had inspired someone to come forward and shoot your murderer in the chest-without asking to be paid.
Chinua AchebeRead
While we often huddle in groups of like-minded people, those with faith blaze a trail that threatens all of our comfort zones. Faith offends the stationary.
Leonard RavenhillRead
If the work is worthwhile, then whether we can complete it or not, it's worth making the attempt. That's why courage is important.
Dalai LamaRead