Keep on the lookout for novel ideas that others have used successfully. Your idea has to be original only in its adaptation to the problem you're working on.
Thomas A. EdisonRead
Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won't work.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Edison emphasizes the value of experience over failure, highlighting the importance of learning through trial and error.
In this quote, Thomas A. Edison reflects on his extensive journey of experimenting and discovering what does not work as a critical part of achieving success. He suggests that accumulating knowledge from unsuccessful attempts is just as valuable as the successful outcomes, framing failures as essential stepping stones toward eventual triumphs.
Themes
ResultsFailureSuccessLearningExperience
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about perseverance, one might quote Edison to inspire an audience to embrace their failures.
More from Thomas A. Edison
All quotes βIf we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.
Thomas A. EdisonRead
I am a vegetarian as well as a passionate anti-alcoholic, because I can thus make better use of my brain.
Thomas A. EdisonRead
Genius is not inspired. Inspiration is perspiration.
Thomas A. EdisonRead
I didn't fail 1000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1000 steps.
Thomas A. EdisonRead
There is no substitute for hard work.
Thomas A. EdisonRead
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Victory is the beautiful, bright-colored flower. Transport is the stem without which it could never have blossomed.
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It's really annoying for me. That's not what I'm playing for, to be the face of the NBA or to be this or that or to take LeBron's throne or whatever.
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Failure is... the highway to success.
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I believe that a lot of our striving after the symbols and levers of success is due to a basic insecurity, a need to prove ourselves. That done, grown up at last, we are free to stop pretending.
Charles HandyRead