--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be haunted by past failures or…" description: "\"To be haunted by past failures or satisfied with past successes is to arrest forward motion.\" — Conrad Hilton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/conrad-hilton-20449_failure_to-be-haunted-by-past-failures-or-satisf_3082659.png" --- # To be haunted by past failures or satisfied with past… ![“To be haunted by past failures or satisfied with past successes is to arrest forward motion.” quote by Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/conrad-hilton-20449_failure_to-be-haunted-by-past-failures-or-satisf_3082659.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/conrad-hilton-20449_failure_to-be-haunted-by-past-failures-or-satisf_3082659.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/conrad-hilton-20449_failure_to-be-haunted-by-past-failures-or-satisf_3082659.png) > “To be haunted by past failures or satisfied with past successes is to arrest forward motion.” [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dwelling on past wins or losses hinders forward momentum. **In simple terms:** Past either or successes can trap you. Key Takeaway Focus on future growth. Themes progress self‑development mindset Mood determined thoughtful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - goal setting - personal development Key Concepts psychology growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - What past event still influences you? - How can you redirect that energy? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on past can cause regret or complacency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Forward motion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forward-motion/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Past failures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-failures/) [Past success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-success/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) ## Related quotes > [It is like a disease to think that an invincible status has been achieved after being satisfied with the past successful operations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isoroku-yamamoto/it-is-like-a-disease-to-think-that-an-invincible-status-has-been/) [Isoroku Yamamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isoroku-yamamoto/) > [Some of the best lessons we ever learn, we learn from our mistakes and failures. The error of the past is the success and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-of-the-best-lessons-we-ever-learn-we-learn-from-our-mistakes-and-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My philosophy, one of the biggest enemies of future success is past success, because you become complacent, you become risk averse, and that's one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-koch/my-philosophy-one-of-the-biggest-enemies-of-future-success-is-past/) [Charles Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-koch/) > [It's been fascinating over the last few years, watching the high and mighty in business and politics fall precipitously-not because their plans didn't work,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/it-s-been-fascinating-over-the-last-few-years-watching-the-high-and/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Winning is euphoric, but it lasts a short time. You've got to lap it up, then move on to the next thing. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-gilmore/winning-is-euphoric-but-it-lasts-a-short-time-you-ve-got-to-lap-it-up/) [Stephanie Gilmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-gilmore/) > [How do I change? If I feel depressed I will sing. If I feel sad I will laugh. If I feel ill I will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/how-do-i-change-if-i-feel-depressed-i-will-sing-if-i-feel-sad-i-will/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [Build on past successes, be grateful for what you do have, and know that this, too, shall pass. It's only for the now. Whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-pelzer/build-on-past-successes-be-grateful-for-what-you-do-have-and-know/) [Dave Pelzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-pelzer/) > [Your past success will be overshadowed by your future success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-past-success-will-be-overshadowed-by-your-future-success/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Do your best with what you have where you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-punch/do-your-best-with-what-you-have-where-you-are/) [Lucy Punch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-punch/) > [Today science prevails not because of its comparative merits, but because the show has been rigged in its favour... It reigns supreme because some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feyerabend/today-science-prevails-not-because-of-its-comparative-merits-but/) [Paul Feyerabend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feyerabend/) > [Never rest on past success. Create something better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-kaufman/never-rest-on-past-success-create-something-better/) [Ron Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-kaufman/) > [You need to realise that, if you want to go on, you have to work hard. If you dwell too much on your past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valentino-rossi/you-need-to-realise-that-if-you-want-to-go-on-you-have-to-work-hard/) [Valentino Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valentino-rossi/) > [Do what you can, with what you have and do it now!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington-carver/do-what-you-can-with-what-you-have-and-do-it-now/) [George Washington Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington-carver/) > [Research has shown over and over again that the more you acknowledge your past successes, the more confident you become in taking on and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/research-has-shown-over-and-over-again-that-the-more-you-acknowledge/) [Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/) > [In my experience, in the real-estate business past success stories are generally not applicable to new situations. We must continually reinvent ourselves, responding to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akira-mori/in-my-experience-in-the-real-estate-business-past-success-stories-are/) [Akira Mori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akira-mori/) ## More by Conrad Hilton > [Success is never final; failure is never fatal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/success-is-never-final-failure-is-never-fatal/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [Enthusiasm is a vital element toward the individual success of every man or woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/enthusiasm-is-a-vital-element-toward-the-individual-success-of-every/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [I can think of no greater God-given responsibility we have than that of extending a helping hand to our fellow man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/i-can-think-of-no-greater-god-given-responsibility-we-have-than-that/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [Enthusiasm is a telescope that yanks the misty, distant future into the radiant, tangible present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/enthusiasm-is-a-telescope-that-yanks-the-misty-distant-future-into/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [It always started with a dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/it-always-started-with-a-dream/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [I know when I have a problem and have done all I can to figure it, I keep listening in a sort of inside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/i-know-when-i-have-a-problem-and-have-done-all-i-can-to-figure-it-i/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [I think intuition can be a form of answered prayer. You do the best you can - thinking, figuring, planning - and then you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/i-think-intuition-can-be-a-form-of-answered-prayer-you-do-the-best/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [The practice of charity will bind us...will bind all men in one great brotherhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/the-practice-of-charity-will-bind-us-will-bind-all-men-in-one-great/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [Success is a process more than a realization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/success-is-a-process-more-than-a-realization/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/success-seems-to-be-connected-with-action-successful-people-keep-2/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [Leave the shower curtain on the inside of the tub.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/leave-the-shower-curtain-on-the-inside-of-the-tub/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/achievement-seems-to-be-connected-with-action-successful-men-and/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [My new hotels will play a leading role in promoting world peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/my-new-hotels-will-play-a-leading-role-in-promoting-world-peace/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [“Enthusiasm is a vital element in individual success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/enthusiasm-is-a-vital-element-in-individual-success/) [conrad hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [The man who wins is the average man, Not built on any particular plan; Not blessed with any particular luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/the-man-who-wins-is-the-average-man-not-built-on-any-particular-plan/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) [Explore all 31 Conrad Hilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) ## More Failure quotes > [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/) [Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/) > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [No one is completely unhappy at the failure of his best friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/no-one-is-completely-unhappy-at-the-failure-of-his-best-friend/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) > [“Rhiannon's Law #28: If you're going to fuck up, be sure to fuck up good and proper. Nothing makes failure acceptable, so you might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/rhiannon-s-law-28-if-you-re-going-to-fuck-up-be-sure-to-fuck-up-good/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Failure is a part of life and you have to learn to deal with it. Failure is something that is part of life's cycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/failure-is-a-part-of-life-and-you-have-to-learn-to-deal-with-it/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [First action was a mistake. What about the second? third? fourth and fifth?...Mehn you are bad...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/first-action-was-a-mistake-what-about-the-second-third-fourth-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God's love never fail :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-s-love-never-fail/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don’t you just hate nights like that, when you think over every mistake you’ve made, every hurt you’ve received, every bit of meanness you’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlaine-harris/don-t-you-just-hate-nights-like-that-when-you-think-over-every/) [Charlaine Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlaine-harris/) > [“Our failure to understand another being's inner reality doesn't make that reality any less real, or any less valuable to that being. (p.255)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-schulz/our-failure-to-understand-another-being-s-inner-reality-doesn-t-make/) [Kathryn Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-schulz/) > [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/) [Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/) > [Don't take too much comfort in the fact that you're successful today because tomorrow could bring failure. There's no surety in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-savage/don-t-take-too-much-comfort-in-the-fact-that-you-re-successful-today/) [Michael Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-savage/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [As we are coming to the end of the year, I want you to forget about the past, the failure, the negative thoughts or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-we-are-coming-to-the-end-of-the-year-i-want-you-to-forget-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 27,498 Failure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To be haunted by past failures or satisfied with past successes is to arrest forward motion.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Conrad Hilton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/to-be-haunted-by-past-failures-or-satisfied-with-past-successes-is-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Failure" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/to-be-haunted-by-past-failures-or-satisfied-with-past-successes-is-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/conrad-hilton-20449_failure_to-be-haunted-by-past-failures-or-satisf_3082659.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/conrad-hilton-20449_failure_to-be-haunted-by-past-failures-or-satisf_3082659.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/conrad-hilton-20449_failure_to-be-haunted-by-past-failures-or-satisf_3082659.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To be haunted by past failures or satisfied with past successes is to arrest forward motion.” — Conrad Hilton", "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": "Conrad Hilton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "To be haunted by past failures...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/to-be-haunted-by-past-failures-or-satisfied-with-past-successes-is-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/to-be-haunted-by-past-failures-or-satisfied-with-past-successes-is-to/#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 } } ] } ```