--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is one of the most important lessons…" description: "\"This is one of the most important lessons of the scientific method: if you cannot fail, you cannot learn.\" — Eric Ries" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/eric-ries-2911_failing_this-is-one-of-the-most-important-lesson_1120891.png" --- # This is one of the most important lessons of the… ![“This is one of the most important lessons of the scientific method: if you cannot fail, you cannot learn.” quote by Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/eric-ries-2911_failing_this-is-one-of-the-most-important-lesson_1120891.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/eric-ries-2911_failing_this-is-one-of-the-most-important-lesson_1120891.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/eric-ries-2911_failing_this-is-one-of-the-most-important-lesson_1120891.png) > “This is one of the most important lessons of the scientific method: if you cannot fail, you cannot learn.” [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Failure is essential for learning; without it, growth stalls **In simple terms:** Fail to learn Key Takeaway Embrace failure as feedback Themes learning innovation risk Mood encouraging pragmatic Type business educational When to use this quote - product development - startup pivots - career experiments - personal skill building Key Concepts entrepreneurship growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - What safe environments foster productive failure? - How can you turn setbacks into actionable insights? A Different Perspective Excessive failure can be demoralizing ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Important lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-lessons/) [Lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lessons/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Scientific method](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientific-method/) ## Related quotes > [If you cannot fail, you cannot learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/if-you-cannot-fail-you-cannot-learn/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [If the plan is to see what happens, a team is guaranteed to succeed - at seeing what happens - but won't necessarily gain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/if-the-plan-is-to-see-what-happens-a-team-is-guaranteed-to-succeed-at/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [The scientific method ... is nothing but the exclusion of subjective opinions as far as possible, by the devising of experiments where observation can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-de-beer/the-scientific-method-is-nothing-but-the-exclusion-of-subjective/) Gavin de Beer > [This means that to entrust to science - or to deliberate control according to scientific principles - more than scientific method can achieve may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-august-von-hayek/this-means-that-to-entrust-to-science-or-to-deliberate-control/) [Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-august-von-hayek/) > [For far too long economists have sought to define themselves in terms of their supposedly scientific methods. In fact, those methods rely on an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-piketty/for-far-too-long-economists-have-sought-to-define-themselves-in-terms/) [Thomas Piketty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-piketty/) > [Scientific method is the way to truth, but it affords, even in principle, no unique definition of truth. Any so-called pragmatic definition of truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willard-van-orman-quine/scientific-method-is-the-way-to-truth-but-it-affords-even-in/) [Willard Van Orman Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willard-van-orman-quine/) > [The earlier you invest, the higher that attrition rate is because it's compounded. We have a more scientific method of investment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mcclure/the-earlier-you-invest-the-higher-that-attrition-rate-is-because-it-s/) [Dave McClure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-mcclure/) > [From Roger Bacon, the 13th century Franciscan who pioneered the scientific method, to George Lemaitre, the 20th century Belgian priest who first developed a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-r-miller/from-roger-bacon-the-13th-century-franciscan-who-pioneered-the/) [Kenneth R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-r-miller/) > [These algorithms, which I'll call public relevance algorithms, are-by the very same mathematical procedures-producing and certifying knowledge. The algorithmic assessment of information, then, represents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarleton-gillespie/these-algorithms-which-i-ll-call-public-relevance-algorithms-are-by/) Tarleton Gillespie > [If the question were, "What ought to be the next objective in science?" my answer would be the teaching of science to the young,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elihu-thomson/if-the-question-were-what-ought-to-be-the-next-objective-in-science/) Elihu Thomson > [Statistics is the branch of scientific method which deals with the data obtained by counting or measuring the properties of populations of natural phenomena.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-kendall/statistics-is-the-branch-of-scientific-method-which-deals-with-the/) Maurice Kendall > [My parents were not scientists. They knew almost nothing about science. 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Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-m-krauss/) > [By committing the scientific method to religious claims you're committing a logical fallacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/by-committing-the-scientific-method-to-religious-claims-you-re/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) ## More by Eric Ries > [The lesson of the MVP is that any additional work beyond what was required to start learning is waste, no matter how important it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/the-lesson-of-the-mvp-is-that-any-additional-work-beyond-what-was/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [HubSpot has used the lean startup method to build a spectacularly successful company. What I particularly love about HubSpot is that they are so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/hubspot-has-used-the-lean-startup-method-to-build-a-spectacularly/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [By the time that product is ready to be distributed widely, it will already have established customers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/by-the-time-that-product-is-ready-to-be-distributed-widely-it-will/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [It was 1999, and we were building a way for college kids to create online profiles for the purpose of sharing... with employers. Oops.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/it-was-1999-and-we-were-building-a-way-for-college-kids-to-create/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [Except in very narrow cases, where there's breakthrough science that needs patent production, worrying about competitors is a waste of time. If you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/except-in-very-narrow-cases-where-there-s-breakthrough-science-that/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [“waiting too long to release can lead to the ultimate waste: making something that nobody wants.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/waiting-too-long-to-release-can-lead-to-the-ultimate-waste-making/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [There's nothing wrong with raising venture capital. Many lean startups are ambitious and are able to deploy large amounts of capital. 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When a product fails…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/a-long-term-reputation-is-only-at-risk-when-companies-engage-in-vocal/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [The minimum viable product is that version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/the-minimum-viable-product-is-that-version-of-a-new-product-which/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [Every startup has a chance to change the world, by bringing not just a new product, but an entirely new institution into existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/every-startup-has-a-chance-to-change-the-world-by-bringing-not-just-a/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [Entrepreneurs can't forecast accurately, because they are trying something fundamentally new. So they will often be laughably behind plan - and on the brink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/entrepreneurs-can-t-forecast-accurately-because-they-are-trying/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [Meritocracy is a good thing. Whenever possibly, people should be judged based on their work and results, not superficial qualities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/meritocracy-is-a-good-thing-whenever-possibly-people-should-be-judged/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) > [The lean startup method is not about cost, it is about speed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/the-lean-startup-method-is-not-about-cost-it-is-about-speed/) [Eric Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) [Explore all 138 Eric Ries quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/) ## More Failing quotes > [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. 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How could a government based on such principles fail?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-ambrose/trial-by-jury-live-wherever-you-can-make-a-living-how-could-a/) [Stephen Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-ambrose/) > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [My willingness to fail gives me the ability to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vinod-khosla/my-willingness-to-fail-gives-me-the-ability-to-succeed/) [Vinod Khosla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vinod-khosla/) > [I would warn against holsters with devices for quick-draw. Devices always fail when you need them most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-powell/i-would-warn-against-holsters-with-devices-for-quick-draw-devices/) [William Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-powell/) > [You can’t bake a cake without getting the kitchen messy. Halfway through surgery it looks like there’s been a murder in the operating room.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/price-pritchett/you-can-t-bake-a-cake-without-getting-the-kitchen-messy-halfway/) [Price Pritchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/price-pritchett/) > [We can't afford any president to fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-beck/we-can-t-afford-any-president-to-fail/) [Glenn Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-beck/) > [When I paint, I never think of selling. People simply fail to understand that we paint in order to experiment and to develop ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edvard-munch/when-i-paint-i-never-think-of-selling-people-simply-fail-to/) [Edvard Munch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edvard-munch/) > [Either dragons should exist completely or fail to exist at all, he felt. A dragon only half-existing was worse than the extremes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/either-dragons-should-exist-completely-or-fail-to-exist-at-all-he/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [I wake up every morning fearing I am going to fail. But I love a challenge, big or small. There's so much I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-mone/i-wake-up-every-morning-fearing-i-am-going-to-fail-but-i-love-a/) [Michelle Mone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-mone/) > [What I want is to be willing to fail rather than stagnate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dickey/what-i-want-is-to-be-willing-to-fail-rather-than-stagnate/) [James Dickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dickey/) > [In proportion as our inward life fails, we go more constantly and desperately to the post office. You may depend on it, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/in-proportion-as-our-inward-life-fails-we-go-more-constantly-and/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The very first company I started failed with a great bang. The second one failed a little bit less, but still failed. The third…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-levchin/the-very-first-company-i-started-failed-with-a-great-bang-the-second/) [Max Levchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-levchin/) Browse all 5,634 Failing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "This is one of the most important lessons of the scientific method: if you cannot fail, you cannot learn.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Eric Ries" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/this-is-one-of-the-most-important-lessons-of-the-scientific-method-if/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Failing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/this-is-one-of-the-most-important-lessons-of-the-scientific-method-if/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/eric-ries-2911_failing_this-is-one-of-the-most-important-lesson_1120891.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/eric-ries-2911_failing_this-is-one-of-the-most-important-lesson_1120891.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b8/eric-ries-2911_failing_this-is-one-of-the-most-important-lesson_1120891.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“This is one of the most important lessons of the scientific method: if you cannot fail, you cannot learn.” — Eric Ries", "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": "Eric Ries", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-ries/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "This is one of the most...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/this-is-one-of-the-most-important-lessons-of-the-scientific-method-if/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-ries/this-is-one-of-the-most-important-lessons-of-the-scientific-method-if/#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 } } ] } ```