Courage Quote by Danielle Ofri
““The very fact that these doctors continuing to be doctors--highly successful ones--despite their errors and their accompanying assaults on their self-definion would itself be a potent lesson to the students and interns. It is possible to hold one's head up after an error, to admit that errors are part and parcel of human existence, even in medicine. It is possible to see the error as an aspect of oneself, not the defining characteristic of oneself.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: “The Art of Medicine” podcast, 2015
Errors are inevitable; owning them preserves dignity and growth, showing that mistakes don’t define a professional identity.
In simple terms: Admitting mistakes keeps dignity and allows growth.
Key Takeaway
Own errors, keep confidence.
Themes
humility
resilience
professionalism
Mood
reflective
encouraging
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- medical training
- clinical practice
- teaching moments
Key Concepts
self‑compassion
error management
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you model vulnerability without losing authority?
- What systems support learning from mistakes?
A Different Perspective
Admitting errors may be perceived as weakness by some patients or peers.
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