Failure Quote by David Foster Wallace
““Knowing that internal stress could cause failure on the exam merely set up internal stress about the prospect of internal stress. There must be some other way to deal with the knowledge of the disastrous consequences fear and stress could bring about. Some answer or trick of the will: the ability not to think about it. What if everyone knew this trick but Claude Sylvanshine? … What if there was something essentially wrong with Claude Sylvanshine that wasn’t wrong with other people?””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Infinite Jest, 1996
Knowing stress causes exam failure creates a feedback loop; a mental trick to ignore it may be flawed.
In simple terms: Stress about stress worsens performance.
Key Takeaway
Find healthier coping strategies.
Themes
psychology
education
anxiety
Mood
analytical
introspective
Type
psychological
advice
When to use this quote
- studying
- exam preparation
- mental health
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
self‑fulfilling prophecy
stress management
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternative methods reduce exam anxiety?
- How does avoidance affect learning?
A Different Perspective
May not address root causes.
