--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The barrier to success is not something…" description: "\"The barrier to success is not something which exists in the real world; it is composed purely and simply of doubts about ability.\" — Franklin D. Roosevelt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_the-barrier-to-success-is-not-something_462027.jpg" --- # The barrier to success is not something which exists in… ![“The barrier to success is not something which exists in the real world; it is composed purely and simply of doubts about ability.” quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_the-barrier-to-success-is-not-something_462027.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_the-barrier-to-success-is-not-something_462027.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2df/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_the-barrier-to-success-is-not-something_462027.jpg) > “The barrier to success is not something which exists in the real world; it is composed purely and simply of doubts about ability.” [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑doubt creates an imagined barrier that blocks achievement, not external reality. **In simple terms:** Doubt blocks success more than any outside obstacle. Key Takeaway Challenge your doubts with action. Themes confidence self‑belief achievement mindset Mood anxious determined Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - career advancement - public speaking - entrepreneurship - personal goals Key Concepts psychology self‑efficacy cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - What evidence disproves your self‑doubt? - How can you test your abilities safely? A Different Perspective Doubt can be reinforced by past failures, making it hard to act. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Barriers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barriers/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Insightful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insightful/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Motivation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motivation/) [Real world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-world/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“The greatest barrier of success is the fear of failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-potter/the-greatest-barrier-of-success-is-the-fear-of-failure/) J.K. Potter > [“Time is the only actual true barrier to success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-redhead/time-is-the-only-actual-true-barrier-to-success/) [Steven Redhead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-redhead/) > [Our success already exists on a spiritual level; it's a matter of pulling it into the physical world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/our-success-already-exists-on-a-spiritual-level-it-s-a-matter-of/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) > [“I hope that teen moms realize that their path to success still exists, and the only way to achieve it is to make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alicia-t-bowens/i-hope-that-teen-moms-realize-that-their-path-to-success-still-exists/) Alicia T. Bowens > [I never had any doubts about my ability. The problem was getting into so many scrapes because of my erratic temperament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-higgins/i-never-had-any-doubts-about-my-ability-the-problem-was-getting-into/) [Alex Higgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-higgins/) > [I didn't have any doubts about my choice of career, but I had constant doubts about my ability, yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-farrell/i-didn-t-have-any-doubts-about-my-choice-of-career-but-i-had-constant/) [Suzanne Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-farrell/) > [I marveled at them both; how difficult it must be to be a person. To constantly subvert your desires. To worry about doing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garth-stein/i-marveled-at-them-both-how-difficult-it-must-be-to-be-a-person-to/) [Garth Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garth-stein/) > [ ...no formula for success \[exists\] except, perhaps, an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings." "I accept life unconditionally. Most people ask for… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-rubinstein/no-formula-for-success-exists-except-perhaps-an-unconditional/) [Arthur Rubinstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-rubinstein/) > [Our greatest problems in life come not so much from the situations we confront as from our doubts about our ability to handle them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-l-taylor/our-greatest-problems-in-life-come-not-so-much-from-the-situations-we/) [Susan L. Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-l-taylor/) > [Acting is not a science. Anybody who believes that their success exists in relation to their goals is deluding themselves; unless you think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/acting-is-not-a-science-anybody-who-believes-that-their-success/) [Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/) > [The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-greatest-barrier-to-success-is-the-fear-of-failure/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There is no barrier to success which diligence and perseverance cannot hurdle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-micheaux/there-is-no-barrier-to-success-which-diligence-and-perseverance/) [Oscar Micheaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-micheaux/) > [“Fear is simply an unpleasant fact, and should never be a barrier to success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/itayi-garande/fear-is-simply-an-unpleasant-fact-and-should-never-be-a-barrier-to/) [Itayi Garande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/itayi-garande/) > [My parents created a world in which the only ­barrier to your success is your own imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/my-parents-created-a-world-in-which-the-only-barrier-to-your-success/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [“You are the greatest asset needed to break the barrier of success in your work and business.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-suulola/you-are-the-greatest-asset-needed-to-break-the-barrier-of-success-in/) [Benjamin Suulola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-suulola/) ## More by Franklin D. Roosevelt > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Inquisitiveness is the most useful talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/inquisitiveness-is-the-most-useful-talent/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > ['Peace on earth, good will toward men' - democracy must cling to that message. For it is my deep conviction that democracy cannot live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/peace-on-earth-good-will-toward-men-democracy-must-cling-to-that/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [I have seen war ... I hate war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/i-have-seen-war-i-hate-war/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/i-have-seen-war-i-have-seen-war-on-land-and-sea-i-have-seen-blood/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [All of our people all over the country-except the pure-blooded Indians-are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, including even those who came over here on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/all-of-our-people-all-over-the-country-except-the-pure-blooded/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [They have given their sons to the military services. They have stoked the furnaces and hurried the factory wheels. They have made the planes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/they-have-given-their-sons-to-the-military-services-they-have-stoked/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [On the European Front the most important development of the past year has been the crushing offensive of the Great Armies of Russia...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/on-the-european-front-the-most-important-development-of-the-past-year/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The core of our defense is the faith we have in the institutions we defend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-core-of-our-defense-is-the-faith-we-have-in-the-institutions-we/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [War is a contagion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/war-is-a-contagion/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Labor Day symbolizes our determination to achieve an economic freedom for the average man which will give his political freedom realty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/labor-day-symbolizes-our-determination-to-achieve-an-economic-freedom/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Too often in recent history liberal governments have been wrecked on rocks of loose fiscal policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/too-often-in-recent-history-liberal-governments-have-been-wrecked-on/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The frontier of America is on the Rhine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-frontier-of-america-is-on-the-rhine/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/repetition-does-not-transform-a-lie-into-a-truth/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The future lies with those wise political leaders who realize that the great public is interested more in Government than in politics. The growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-future-lies-with-those-wise-political-leaders-who-realize-that/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) [Explore all 521 Franklin D. Roosevelt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The barrier to success is not something which exists in the real world; it is composed purely and simply of doubts about ability.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Franklin D. 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