What’s Your Favourite Quote for Overcoming Failure?

Favourite Quotes for Overcoming Failure
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This list gathers uplifting quotes to inspire you to rise above setbacks. Share your favourite quote to keep the motivation growing!

1

Failure isn't fatal, but failure to change might be – John Wooden

John Wooden, a legendary basketball coach, used this to emphasize that failure itself doesn’t end your journey - stagnation does. It encourages adaptability and growth as essential responses to setbacks.
Inspirational image with the quote 'Failure isn't fatal, but failure to change might be' by John Wooden.

2

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work - Thomas A. Edison

This quote reflects Edison’s optimistic view of failure during his invention process, particularly with the light bulb. It teaches that what we call "failure" is often just a discovery of what doesn’t work, bringing us closer to success through persistence and learning.
Inspirational image with the quote 'I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.' by Thomas A. Edison.

3

Everything you want is on the other side of fear - Jack Canfield

Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, suggests that fear of failure is a barrier to achieving goals. This quote motivates us to push past fear, viewing it as a gateway to success.
Inspirational image with the quote 'Everything you want is on the other side of fear.' by Jack Canfield

4

Success is most often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable - Coco Chanel

Fashion icon Coco Chanel implies that a fearless mindset, unburdened by the expectation of failure, fosters bold action and innovation. It’s a call to act with confidence, even if naively, to achieve greatness.
Inspirational image with the quote 'Success is most often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable.' by Coco Chanel.

5

Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly - Robert F. Kennedy

Spoken by Robert F. Kennedy, this quote ties ambition to risk, suggesting that monumental success requires the courage to face monumental failure. It inspires bold, fearless pursuit of big dreams.
Inspirational image with the quote 'Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.' by Robert F. Kennedy.

6

The phoenix must burn to emerge - Janet Fitch

From Janet Fitch’s novel White Oleander, this metaphor likens failure to the phoenix’s fiery rebirth, suggesting that destruction is a prerequisite for renewal and strength. It’s about transformation through adversity.
Inspirational image with the quote 'The phoenix must burn to emerge.' by Janet Fitch.

7

If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original - Ken Robinson

Education expert Ken Robinson argues that creativity demands risk and the acceptance of potential failure. This encourages embracing mistakes as part of the innovative process.
Inspirational image with the quote 'If you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original.' by Ken Robinson.

8

Giving up is the only sure way to fail - Gena Showalter

Author Gena Showalter stresses that persistence prevents true failure. This quote inspires continued effort, framing quitting as the only defeat that matters.
Inspirational image with the quote 'Giving up is the only sure way to fail.' by Gena Showalter.

9

If you don’t try at anything, you can’t fail… it takes backbone to lead the life you want - Richard Yates

From Revolutionary Road, Richard Yates points out that avoiding failure by not trying is a hollow victory. It urges courage to pursue a meaningful life despite risks.
Inspirational image with the quote 'If you don’t try at anything, you can’t fail… it takes backbone to lead the life you want' by Richard Yates.

10

Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing. - Denis Waitley

Motivational speaker Denis Waitley reframes failure as a guide rather than a final blow. It’s a call to see setbacks as temporary and to keep moving forward with purpose.
Inspirational image with the quote 'Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker...' by Denis Waitley.

11

When you take risks you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important - Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres reflects on the balance of risk-taking, suggesting that both success and failure teach valuable lessons. It promotes a growth mindset through experience.
nspirational image with the quote 'When you take risks you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail, and both are equally important.' by Ellen DeGeneres.

12

There is no failure except in no longer trying - Chris Bradford

Author Chris Bradford asserts that effort defines success, not outcomes. This inspires resilience, framing persistence as the antidote to failure.
Inspirational image with the quote 'There is no failure except in no longer trying.' by Chris Bradford.

13

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts - Winston Churchill

Churchill, a wartime leader, spoke this to emphasize life’s impermanence and the value of perseverance. It motivates us to keep going through highs and lows.
Inspirational image with the quote 'Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.' by Winston Churchill.

14

There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure. - Paulo Coelho

From The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho identifies fear as the true enemy of ambition. This urges us to conquer fear to make dreams reality.
Inspirational image with the quote 'There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.' by Paulo Coelho.

15

Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever. - Lance Armstrong

Cyclist Lance Armstrong contrasts the fleeting nature of struggle with the permanence of giving up. It’s a push to endure temporary setbacks for lasting victory.
Inspirational image with the quote 'Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever.' by Lance Armstrong.

16

I'd rather be partly great than entirely useless - Neal Shusterman

Author Neal Shusterman values effort over perfection, suggesting that striving for greatness, even imperfectly, beats inaction. It inspires taking chances over staying safe.
Inspirational image with the quote 'I'd rather be partly great than entirely useless.' by Neal Shusterman.

17

We are all failures - at least the best of us are - J.M. Barrie

The Peter Pan creator, J.M. Barrie, normalizes failure among high achievers. It reassures us that failing is a sign of striving, shared by the best.

18

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing - Henry Ford

Industrialist Henry Ford redefines mistakes as opportunities for growth. This encourages extracting lessons from failure to fuel future success.

19

Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement - C.S. Lewis

Author C.S. Lewis compares failures to road signs guiding us to success. It’s a positive take, urging us to follow these markers toward our goals.

20

Winners are not afraid of losing. But losers are. Failure is part of the process of success. People who avoid failure also avoid success. - Robert T. Kiyosaki

From Rich Dad Poor Dad, Kiyosaki links fearlessness to winning, framing failure as integral to success. It challenges us to embrace risk as a path forward.

21

Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit. - Napoleon Hill

Self-help author Napoleon Hill promises that every setback holds potential for gain. It inspires us to seek the hidden opportunities within failure.

22

It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce that counts. - Zig Ziglar

Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar focuses on resilience, suggesting that recovery matters more than the setback itself. It’s a call to rise stronger after a fall.

23

When we give ourselves permission to fail, we, at the same time, give ourselves permission to excel. - Eloise Ristad

Musician Eloise Ristad links accepting failure to unlocking excellence. It’s an invitation to free ourselves from perfectionism to achieve more.

24

What is the point of being alive if you don't at least try to do something remarkable? – John Green

Author John Green challenges us to pursue extraordinary goals, accepting failure as part of the attempt. It’s a rallying cry for a life of purpose over safety.

25

With a hint of good judgment, to fear nothing, not failure or suffering or even death, indicates that you value life the most... – Criss Jami

Poet Criss Jami connects fearlessness to a vibrant life, suggesting that rejecting fear of failure fuels bold legacies. It’s about living fully and bravely.