--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The tragedy of life is not found in…" description: "\"The tragedy of life is not found in failure but complacency. Not in you doing too much, but doing too little. Not in you living above your means, but b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/846/benjamin-e-mays-20877_capacity_the-tragedy-of-life-is-not-found-in-fail_923051.png" --- # The tragedy of life is not found in failure but… ![“The tragedy of life is not found in failure but complacency. Not in you doing too much, but doing too little. Not in you living above your means, but below your capacity. It's not failure but aiming too low, that is life's greatest tragedy.” quote by Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/846/benjamin-e-mays-20877_capacity_the-tragedy-of-life-is-not-found-in-fail_923051.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/846/benjamin-e-mays-20877_capacity_the-tragedy-of-life-is-not-found-in-fail_923051.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/846/benjamin-e-mays-20877_capacity_the-tragedy-of-life-is-not-found-in-fail_923051.png) > “The tragedy of life is not found in failure but complacency. Not in you doing too much, but doing too little. Not in you living above your means, but below your capacity. It's not failure but aiming too low, that is life's greatest tragedy.” [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True tragedy lies in settling for less, not in failing or overreaching. **In simple terms:** Settling low is tragic. Key Takeaway Aim high, avoid complacency. Themes ambition complacency growth Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - educational goals - financial decisions Key Concepts self‑actualization risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take to raise your standards? - How do you recognize healthy ambition versus harmful pressure? A Different Perspective Risk of burnout if constantly pushing limits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Complacency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complacency/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-failure/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Tragedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tragedy/) [Untapped potential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/untapped-potential/) [Wasted life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wasted-life/) ## Related quotes > [The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency; not in our doing too much, but rather in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-of-life-is-often-not-in-our-failure-but-rather-in-our/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy of this life is not failure, but low aim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-of-this-life-is-not-failure-but-low-aim/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Man's worst tragedy in life is his failure to reach his greatest potential](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-palubinskas/man-s-worst-tragedy-in-life-is-his-failure-to-reach-his-greatest/) Ed Palubinskas > [It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/it-must-be-borne-in-mind-that-the-tragedy-of-life-doesn-t-lie-in-not-2/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-of-life-doesn-t-lie-in-not-reaching-your-goal-the-tragedy/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [“It is born in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching the goal. The tragedy of life lies in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/it-is-born-in-mind-that-the-tragedy-of-life-does-not-lie-in-not/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Most of us have more potential than we will ever develop. What holds us back is often a lack of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-chapman/most-of-us-have-more-potential-than-we-will-ever-develop-what-holds/) [Gary Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-chapman/) > [“The great untapped potential for health and healthcare is to understand what a customer wants and needs and to respond in ways that lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-mcneill/the-great-untapped-potential-for-health-and-healthcare-is-to/) [Dwight McNeill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-mcneill/) > [Inside every seed is the potential for an incredible harvest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/farrah-gray/inside-every-seed-is-the-potential-for-an-incredible-harvest/) [Farrah Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farrah-gray/) > [With the realization of ones own potential and self-confidence in ones ability, one can build a better world. According to my own experience, self-confidence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/with-the-realization-of-ones-own-potential-and-self-confidence-in/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“Your journey through life and self-discovery is much like the start of a new day. As you grow, develop, and reinvent yourself, the tendrils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-narofsky/your-journey-through-life-and-self-discovery-is-much-like-the-start/) [Thomas Narofsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-narofsky/) > [Since we launched the original 'Pop Idol' in England, I've remained close with Simon Fuller. Working as executive producer on 'American idol' for its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-lythgoe/since-we-launched-the-original-pop-idol-in-england-i-ve-remained/) [Nigel Lythgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-lythgoe/) > [“So long as breath remains in our lungs, untapped potential lies inside us, waiting to be released. The reason we are still alive is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-cordeiro/so-long-as-breath-remains-in-our-lungs-untapped-potential-lies-inside/) [Wayne Cordeiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-cordeiro/) > [“Employees who are not engaged have untapped potential that sours like a perishable item.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-e-phillips/employees-who-are-not-engaged-have-untapped-potential-that-sours-like/) [Kevin E. Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-e-phillips/) > [I'm a great believer in people and their untapped potential.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-bester/i-m-a-great-believer-in-people-and-their-untapped-potential/) [Alfred Bester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-bester/) ## More by Benjamin E. Mays > [He who starts behind in the great race of life must forever remain behind or run faster than the man in front.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/he-who-starts-behind-in-the-great-race-of-life-must-forever-remain/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-of-life-doesn-t-lie-in-not-reaching-your-goal-the-tragedy/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency; not in our doing too much, but rather in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-of-life-is-often-not-in-our-failure-but-rather-in-our/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Man is what his dreams are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/man-is-what-his-dreams-are/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Failure isn't in not reaching your goal but in having no goal to reach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/failure-isn-t-in-not-reaching-your-goal-but-in-having-no-goal-to-reach/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Not failure, but low aim is sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/not-failure-but-low-aim-is-sin/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [If what is communicated is false, it can hardly be called communication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/if-what-is-communicated-is-false-it-can-hardly-be-called-communication/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [ \[H\]owever hard the road, however difficult today, tomorrow things will be better. Tomorrow may not be better, but we must believe that it will… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/h-owever-hard-the-road-however-difficult-today-tomorrow-things-will/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Whatever you do, do it so well that people looking on will feel that the task was reserved especially for you by God Himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/whatever-you-do-do-it-so-well-that-people-looking-on-will-feel-that/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [“It is born in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching the goal. The tragedy of life lies in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/it-is-born-in-mind-that-the-tragedy-of-life-does-not-lie-in-not/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [A child must learn early to believe that she is somebody worthwhile, and that she can do many praiseworthy things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/a-child-must-learn-early-to-believe-that-she-is-somebody-worthwhile/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [It isn't a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/it-isn-t-a-disgrace-not-to-reach-the-stars-but-it-is-a-disgrace-to/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The creation of the spiritual was no accident. It was a creation born of necessity, so that the slave might more adequately adjust himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-creation-of-the-spiritual-was-no-accident-it-was-a-creation-born/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [. . . the circumference of life cannot be rightly drawn until the center is set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-circumference-of-life-cannot-be-rightly-drawn-until-the-center-is/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-lies-in-having-no-goal-to-reach/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) [Explore all 30 Benjamin E. Mays quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) ## More Capacity quotes > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [And you can't complain about kissing Emma Watson. Isn't that what everyone in the world wants to do? I've known Emma for a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-redmayne/and-you-can-t-complain-about-kissing-emma-watson-isn-t-that-what/) [Eddie Redmayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-redmayne/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [I was only operating at about 80% of my capacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lomu/i-was-only-operating-at-about-80-of-my-capacity/) [Jonah Lomu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lomu/) > [To preserve an unclouded capacity for the enjoyment of life is an unusual moral and psychological achievement. Contrary to popular belief, it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/to-preserve-an-unclouded-capacity-for-the-enjoyment-of-life-is-an/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [Disappointment contains an appointment for doing much better. High expectations mean your higher capacity and belief in abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/disappointment-contains-an-appointment-for-doing-much-better-high/) [Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/) > [For years mental health professionals taught people that they could be psychologically healthy without social support, that “unless you love yourself, no one else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-d-perry/for-years-mental-health-professionals-taught-people-that-they-could/) [Bruce D. Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-d-perry/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [“Teach honesty by all means - you do know what it is, don't you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/teach-honesty-by-all-means-you-do-know-what-it-is-don-t-you/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [Human freedom involves our capacity to pause between the stimulus and response and, in that pause, to choose the one response toward which we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rollo-may/human-freedom-involves-our-capacity-to-pause-between-the-stimulus-and/) [Rollo May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rollo-may/) > [he cult of productivity has its place, but worshipping at its altar daily robs us of the very capacity for joy and wonder that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-popova/he-cult-of-productivity-has-its-place-but-worshipping-at-its-altar/) [Maria Popova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-popova/) > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/bravery-is-the-capacity-to-perform-properly-even-when-scared-half-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 3,320 Capacity quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The tragedy of life is not found in failure but complacency. 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