That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false.
Paul ValeryRead
Whatever we succeed in doing is a transformation of something we have failed to do. Thus, when we fail, it is only because we have given up.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success comes from transforming our failures into opportunities by persevering.
This quote by Paul Valery emphasizes the idea that success is often achieved through the lessons learned from failure. It suggests that every effort to succeed is a reworking of prior unsuccessful attempts, and that giving up is the true failure, not the process of trying and falling short.
Themes
SuccessFailureTransformationPerseveranceMotivation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a motivational speech to inspire people to continue striving despite setbacks.
More from Paul Valery
All quotes βOh, hasten not this loving act, Rapture where self and not-self meet: My life has been the awaiting you, Your footfall was my own heart's beat.
Paul ValeryRead
The history of thought may be summed up in these words: it is absurd by what it seeks and great by what it finds.
Paul ValeryRead
The world acquires value only through its extremes and endures only through moderation; extremists make the world great, the moderates give it stability.
Paul ValeryRead
It would be impossible to "love" anyone or anything one knew completely. Love is directed towards what lies hidden in its object.
Paul ValeryRead
You have certainly observed the curious fact that a given word which is perfectly clear when you hear it or use it in everyday language, and which does not give rise to any difficulty when it is engaged in the rapid movement of an ordinary sentence becomes magically embarrassing, introduces a strange resistance, frustrates any effort at definition as soon as you take it out of circulation to examine it separately and look for its meaning after taking away its instantaneous function.
Paul ValeryRead
Similar quotes
Sometimes in life you don't always feel like a winner, but that doesn't mean you're not a winner, you want to be like yourself. I want my fans to know it's okay.
Lady GagaRead
Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality.
Ralph MarstonRead
I'm going to be dead for a long time, so I have a lot to do now.
Stephen KingRead
Brethren, do something; do something, do something! While societies and unions make constitutions, let us win souls. I pray you, be men of action all of you. Get to work and quit yourselves like men. Old Suvarov's idea of war is mine: `Forward and strike! No theory! Attack! Form a column! Charge bayonets! Plunge into the center of the enemy! Our one aim is to win souls; and this we are not to talk about, but do in the power of God!'
Charles SpurgeonRead
I don't wait for moods. You accomplish nothing if you do that. Your mind must know it has got to get down to work.
Pearl S. BuckRead
Other people's successes are good news - for them and for you. Good for you because they show you a way to go.
Steve WynnRead