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Progress is made by trial and failure; the failures are…

“Progress is made by trial and failure; the failures are generally a hundred times more numerous than the successes ; yet they are usually left unchronicled.” quote by William Ramsay
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“Progress is made by trial and failure; the failures are generally a hundred times more numerous than the successes ; yet they are usually left unchronicled.”

William Ramsay

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Failure is far more common than success, yet often unrecorded, hindering learning.

In simple terms: Failures outnumber successes, rarely noted.

Key Takeaway

Document and learn from failures.

Themes

failure learning progress

Mood

analytical encouraging

Type

practical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • research labs
  • product development
  • education

Key Concepts

scientific method history of science

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we value failure?
  • What systems capture lessons?
A Different Perspective

May discourage risk‑taking.

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