Every vision is a joke until the first man accomplishes it; once realized, it becomes commonplace.
Interpretation
Innovative ideas are often dismissed until someone proves them possible.
This quote emphasizes that visionary ideas may initially seem unrealistic or humorous until someone has the courage to bring them to fruition. Once these ideas are demonstrated successfully, they shift from being viewed as peculiar or unattainable to being accepted as ordinary or conventional, underscoring the importance of perseverance and innovation in human progress.
In practice
In a motivational speech about entrepreneurship, one might say, 'As Robert H. Goddard remarked, every vision is a joke until realized.'
How many more years I shall be able to work on the problem I do not know; I hope, as long as I live. There can be no thought of finishing, for 'aiming at the stars' both literally and figuratively, is a problem to occupy generations, so that no matter how much progress one makes, there is always the thrill of just beginning.
It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.
The only barrier to human development is ignorance, and this is not insurmountable.
It is not a simple matter to differentiate unsuccessful from successful experiments. . . .[Most] work that is finally successful is the result of a series of unsuccessful tests in which difficulties are gradually eliminated.
The unique thing about bodybuilding is that when I compete it is just me on a stage alone. There is no field, no bat, no ball, no skis, no skates. All other athletes have to use equipment, like a football. But I don't use anything in competition except myself. It's just me up there. Me alone. No coach. No nothing.
Hearken, my believing reader. What is the cause of your weakness? Is it not because the fountain of life is little used? Is it not because you are resting on old experiences, and not daily gathering new manna—daily drawing new strength from Christ?
If I don't practice one day, I know it; two days, the critics know it; three days, the public knows it.
I don't think you can create anything interesting from a comfort zone. You have to work from a place of fear and failure.
I think it's important to move people beyond just dreaming into doing. They have to be able to see that you are just like them, and you made it.
These are not dark days: these are great days - the greatest days our country has ever lived.
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