--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short." description: "\"To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.\" — Confucius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e2/confucius-164_fall_to-go-beyond-is-as-wrong-as-to-fall-shor_950311.jpg" --- # To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short. ![“To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e2/confucius-164_fall_to-go-beyond-is-as-wrong-as-to-fall-shor_950311.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e2/confucius-164_fall_to-go-beyond-is-as-wrong-as-to-fall-shor_950311.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e2/confucius-164_fall_to-go-beyond-is-as-wrong-as-to-fall-shor_950311.jpg) > “To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.” [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Striving beyond limits is as flawed as falling short; balance is essential. **In simple terms:** Both excess and deficiency are wrong. Key Takeaway Seek balanced effort, neither overreaching nor underperforming. Themes balance moderation self‑discipline Mood thoughtful balanced Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - goal setting - time management - skill development - health routines Key Concepts golden mean virtue ethics personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How can you measure a healthy level of ambition? - What signs indicate you’re overextending? A Different Perspective Extreme ambition can lead to burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“Neeve had to be wrong. She’d never fall in love with one of them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/neeve-had-to-be-wrong-she-d-never-fall-in-love-with-one-of-them/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“comparison are designed to make someone fall short”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/comparison-are-designed-to-make-someone-fall-short/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) > [Sometimes in greatness you fall short, only to rise again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-thurman/sometimes-in-greatness-you-fall-short-only-to-rise-again/) [Keith Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-thurman/) > [Anytime you fall short with someone you've been with the whole time, you always ask yourself or ask the other partner, 'Can we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khris-middleton/anytime-you-fall-short-with-someone-you-ve-been-with-the-whole-time/) [Khris Middleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khris-middleton/) > [I've heard that our greatest cross to carry is ourselves - how gravely we fall short.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-ve-heard-that-our-greatest-cross-to-carry-is-ourselves-how-gravely/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Never fall short of your own expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immortal/never-fall-short-of-your-own-expectations/) Immortal > [We have never said that we're perfect. We've said that we seek that. But we sometimes fall short.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/we-have-never-said-that-we-re-perfect-we-ve-said-that-we-seek-that/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [The goal of a passionate artist is to try and make a masterpiece each and every time, yet be wise enough to know you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donato-giancola/the-goal-of-a-passionate-artist-is-to-try-and-make-a-masterpiece-each/) Donato Giancola > [Our best efforts at changing society will fall short unless the church can teach the world how to love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/our-best-efforts-at-changing-society-will-fall-short-unless-the/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [“Everyone failed to live up to their own ideals. She wanted to fall short of the best ideals.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-doctorow/everyone-failed-to-live-up-to-their-own-ideals-she-wanted-to-fall/) [Cory Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-doctorow/) > [I knew I was not a failure in any way, and so did those close to me. It doesn't matter if you fall short;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-knew-i-was-not-a-failure-in-any-way-and-so-did-those-close-to-me-it/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [“Justice without love will always fall short of what needs to be done. It will never be as good as it should be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elane-o-rourke/justice-without-love-will-always-fall-short-of-what-needs-to-be-done/) Elane O'Rourke > [Philosophy alone makes the mind invincible, and places us out of the reach of fortune, so that all her arrows fall short of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/philosophy-alone-makes-the-mind-invincible-and-places-us-out-of-the/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [It is better to fall short of a high mark than to reach a low one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-clay-payne/it-is-better-to-fall-short-of-a-high-mark-than-to-reach-a-low-one/) Henry Clay Payne > [“First impressions are rarely worth preserving. Men typically fall short of our expectations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renate-linnenkoper/first-impressions-are-rarely-worth-preserving-men-typically-fall/) Renate Linnenkoper ## More by Confucius > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man is distressed by his want (lack) of ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-distressed-by-his-want-lack-of-ability/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate the world with virtue first brought order to their nations. Wishing to order well their nations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/in-ancient-times-those-who-wished-to-illuminate-the-world-with-virtue/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Better than the one who knows what is right is the one who loves what is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/better-than-the-one-who-knows-what-is-right-is-the-one-who-loves-what/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/knowledge-is-merely-brilliance-in-organization-of-ideas-and-not/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [I live in a very small house, but my windows look out on a very large world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/i-live-in-a-very-small-house-but-my-windows-look-out-on-a-very-large/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-rule-a-country-of-a-thousand-chariots-there-must-be-reverent/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-real-fault-is-to-have-faults-and-not-amend-them/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-what-you-know-and-what-you-do-not-know-that-is-true-knowledge/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [A picture is poem without words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-picture-is-poem-without-words/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Heaven means to be one with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/heaven-means-to-be-one-with-god/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Does Heaven ever speak? The four seasons come and go, and all creatures thrive and grow. Does Heaven ever speak!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/does-heaven-ever-speak-the-four-seasons-come-and-go-and-all-creatures/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To study and at times practice what one has learned, is this not a pleasure?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-study-and-at-times-practice-what-one-has-learned-is-this-not-a/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/recompense-injury-with-justice-and-recompense-kindness-with-kindness/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [There is only one thing in life which never changes, and it is change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-only-one-thing-in-life-which-never-changes-and-it-is-change/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) [Explore all 1,019 Confucius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## More Fall quotes > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [Two things revolutionised life: moving to the countryside and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-love/two-things-revolutionised-life-moving-to-the-countryside-and-falling/) [Nick Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-love/) > [“When you jump, all you're going to do is fall. But leaping? Leaping is when you think there's something on the other side.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/when-you-jump-all-you-re-going-to-do-is-fall-but-leaping-leaping-is/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [To hurry through the rise and fall of a fine, full sentence is like defying the role of time in human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clark/to-hurry-through-the-rise-and-fall-of-a-fine-full-sentence-is-like/) [Kenneth Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clark/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [“We will all, at some point in our lives, fall. Every single one of us. We shouldn't spend our time trying to avoid falling.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-williams/we-will-all-at-some-point-in-our-lives-fall-every-single-one-of-us-we/) [Nicole Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-williams/) > [I am attracted to looking at the different things language can mean even in one sometimes quite ordinary utterance. Writing is partly about listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/i-am-attracted-to-looking-at-the-different-things-language-can-mean/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/) [Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/) > [How wonderful it would be to scatter words as they rise to consciousness, to let them lie where they fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-scott/how-wonderful-it-would-be-to-scatter-words-as-they-rise-to/) [Joanna Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-scott/) > [My life is a crystal teardrop. There are snowflakes falling in the teardrop and little figures trudging in slow motion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-baez/my-life-is-a-crystal-teardrop-there-are-snowflakes-falling-in-the/) [Joan Baez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-baez/) > [Life will knock you down & it's tough, but you are strong enough. Get back up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-will-knock-you-down-it-s-tough-but-you-are-strong-enough-get/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I was 13, I began relaxing my hair, and that meant when I turned 18 it began to crack and fall off, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soledad-o-brien/when-i-was-13-i-began-relaxing-my-hair-and-that-meant-when-i-turned/) [Soledad O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soledad-o-brien/) > [“If you ever falling but can't see the bottom be glad you can't because at the bottom it's either a soft land or rocks!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelseigh-ashton/if-you-ever-falling-but-can-t-see-the-bottom-be-glad-you-can-t/) Kelseigh Ashton > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) Browse all 13,401 Fall quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Confucius" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-go-beyond-is-as-wrong-as-to-fall-short/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fall" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-go-beyond-is-as-wrong-as-to-fall-short/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e2/confucius-164_fall_to-go-beyond-is-as-wrong-as-to-fall-shor_950311.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e2/confucius-164_fall_to-go-beyond-is-as-wrong-as-to-fall-shor_950311.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6e2/confucius-164_fall_to-go-beyond-is-as-wrong-as-to-fall-shor_950311.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.” — Confucius", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Confucius", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "To go beyond is as wrong...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-go-beyond-is-as-wrong-as-to-fall-short/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-go-beyond-is-as-wrong-as-to-fall-short/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```