We made too many wrong mistakes.
—Yogi Berra (1925–2015) American Sportsperson
The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Our mistakes from the past are just that: mistakes. And they were necessary to make in order to become the wiser person we became.
—Bill Maher (b.1956) American Comedian, TV Personality, Social Critic, Author, Actor
Experience is the name we give to our mistakes.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Always leave a little room for a mistake.
—Chinese Proverb
The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer
All wrong doing is done in the sincere belief that it is the best thing to do.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
He is always right who suspects that he makes mistakes.
—Spanish Proverb
Most of the mistakes in thinking are inadequacies of perception rather than mistakes of logic.
—Edward de Bono (1933–2021) Maltese-British Psychologist, Writer
The errors of a wise man make your rule, Rather than the perfections of a fool.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
It is human to err, but it is devilish to remain willfully in error.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
No man is a failure who is enjoying life.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
Some faults are so closely allied to qualities that it is difficult to weed out the vice without eradicating the virtue.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
A mistake is not a failure, but evidence that someone tried to do something.
—Unknown
Man must strive, and striving he must err.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
To avoid situations in which you might make mistakes may be the biggest mistake of all.
—Peter McWilliams (1949–2000) American Author, Activist
Everybody knows if you are too careful you are so occupied in being careful that you are sure to stumble over something.
—Gertrude Stein (1874–1946) American Writer
Failures to heroic minds are the stepping stones to success.
—Thomas Chandler Haliburton (1796–1865) Canadian Author, Humorist, Businessperson, Judge
Genius is often only the power of making continuous efforts. The line between failure and success is so fine that we scarcely know when we pass it—so fine that we are often on the line and do not know it. How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience, would have achieved success. As the tide goes clear out, so it comes clear in. In business sometimes prospects may seem darkest when really they are on the turn. A little more persistence, a little more effort, and what seemed hopeless failure may turn to glorious success. There is no failure except in no longer trying. There is no defeat except from within, no really insurmountable barrier save our own inherent weakness of purpose.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
—Scott Adams (b.1957) American Cartoonist
Certain defects are necessary for the existence of individuality.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
It is well there is no one without fault; for he would not have a friend in the world. He would seem to belong to a different species.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
If we had no failings ourselves we should not take so much pleasure in finding out those of others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Don’t fear failure. — Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.
—Bruce Lee (1940–73) American Martial Artist, Actor, Philosopher
Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.
—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896–1940) American Novelist
Man approaches the unattainable truth through a succession of errors.
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English Humanist, Pacifist, Essayist, Short Story Writer, Satirist
If you make a mistake and do not correct it, this is called a mistake.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
We learn courageous action by going forward whenever fear urges us back. A little boy was asked how he learned to skate. “By getting up every time I fell down,” he answered.
—David Seabury (1885–1960) American Psychologist
You may make mistakes, but you are not a failure until you start blaming someone else.
—Anonymous
No man fails who does his best…
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
There’s nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you.
—Woody Hayes (1913–87) American Sportsperson
To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Six mistakes mankind keeps making century after century:
Believing that personal gain is made by crushing others;
Worrying about things that cannot be changed or corrected;
Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it;
Refusing to set aside trivial preferences;
Neglecting development and refinement of the mind;
Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
What then in the last resort are the truths of mankind? They are the irrefutable errors of mankind.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
We may make mistakes—but they must never be mistakes which result from faintness of heart or abandonment of moral principles.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
A good marksman may miss. – Thomas Fuller He that has much to do will do something wrong.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Only he who does nothing makes no mistakes.
—French Proverb
Learn to see in another’s calamity the ills which you should avoid.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
It is the true nature of mankind to learn from mistakes, not from example.
—Fred Hoyle (1915–2001) English Astronomer, Mathematician
They say President Wilson has blundered. Perhaps he has, but I notice he usually blunders forward.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur
Never say, “oops”. Always say, “Ah, interesting”.
—Unknown
The progress of rivers to the ocean is not so rapid as that of man to error.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Truth will sooner come out from error than from confusion.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
If you’re gonna be a failure, at least be one at something you enjoy.
—Sylvester Stallone (b.1946) American Actor, Film Director, Screenwriter
One of the reasons mature people stop learning is that they become less and less willing to risk failure.
—John W. Gardner (1912–2002) American Activist
Our friends don’t see our faults, or conceal them, or soften them.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Failure is the foundation of success, and the means by which it is achieved.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
When you have faults, do not fear to abandon them.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Accept that all of us can be hurt, that all of us can — and surely will at times — fail. Other vulnerabilities, like being embarrassed or risking love, can be terrifying, too. I think we should follow a simple rule: if we can take the worst, take the risk.
—Joyce Brothers (1927–2013) American Psychologist, Advice Columnist