---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Failure is not fun. It can be awful. But…"
description: "\"Failure is not fun. It can be awful. But living so cautiously that you never fail is worse.\" — J. K. Rowling"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f8/j-k-rowling-2-683_awful_failure-is-not-fun-it-can-be-awful-but-l_2094479.jpg"
---

#  Failure is not fun. It can be awful. But living so…

![“Failure is not fun. It can be awful. But living so cautiously that you never fail is worse.” quote by J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f8/j-k-rowling-2-683_awful_failure-is-not-fun-it-can-be-awful-but-l_2094479.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f8/j-k-rowling-2-683_awful_failure-is-not-fun-it-can-be-awful-but-l_2094479.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f8/j-k-rowling-2-683_awful_failure-is-not-fun-it-can-be-awful-but-l_2094479.jpg)

> “Failure is not fun. It can be awful. But living so cautiously that you never fail is worse.”

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Avoiding failure entirely leads to a more restrictive life than experiencing failure.

**In simple terms:** Being overly cautious is worse than failing.

Key Takeaway

Embrace risk; failure is part of growth.

Themes

courage growth risk-taking

Mood

reflective motivational

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

- career decisions
- creative projects
- personal development

Key Concepts

learning theory psychology of fear

Questions to Reflect On

- What risks are you avoiding?
- How can you reframe failure as learning?

A Different Perspective

Failure can have severe consequences; balance is needed.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/)

## Related quotes

> [You fail by default when you live so cautiously you never fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/you-fail-by-default-when-you-live-so-cautiously-you-never-fail/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/it-is-hard-to-fail-but-it-is-worse-never-to-have-tried-to-succeed/)

[Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/)

> [“What messes us up a lot in this life is setting our expectations way too high and then being ashamed when we fail. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/comic-strip-mama/what-messes-us-up-a-lot-in-this-life-is-setting-our-expectations-way/)

Comic Strip Mama

> [I enjoy the fun of failure. It's fun to fail, I kept repeating. It's part of being ambitious; it's part of being creative. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/i-enjoy-the-fun-of-failure-it-s-fun-to-fail-i-kept-repeating-it-s/)

[Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/)

> [Once you can accept failure, you can have fun and success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rickey-henderson/once-you-can-accept-failure-you-can-have-fun-and-success/)

[Rickey Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rickey-henderson/)

> [It's a lonely road for those of us who choose to be remarkable, and the path of convention can sometimes be appealing. That path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-guillebeau/it-s-a-lonely-road-for-those-of-us-who-choose-to-be-remarkable-and/)

[Chris Guillebeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-guillebeau/)

> [“Pushing myself, I knew, would cause me serious discomfort. It's a Secret of Adulthood: Happiness doesn't always make you feel happy. When I thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/pushing-myself-i-knew-would-cause-me-serious-discomfort-it-s-a-secret/)

[Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/)

> [The risk of failure is part of the fun of what I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/the-risk-of-failure-is-part-of-the-fun-of-what-i-do/)

[Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/)

> [“how awful to never be allowed to fail”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenna-yovanoff/how-awful-to-never-be-allowed-to-fail/)

[Brenna Yovanoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenna-yovanoff/)

> [There was a special challenge in describing the awful childhood of a person who happens to be my own husband. It was very painful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-stephenson/there-was-a-special-challenge-in-describing-the-awful-childhood-of-a/)

[Pamela Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-stephenson/)

> [It is not like studying German, where you mull along, in a groping, uncertain way, for thirty years; and at last, just as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/it-is-not-like-studying-german-where-you-mull-along-in-a-groping/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [You've seen the first issue and what happened in the last page. Some pretty awful stuff. I don't know why I seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-shalvey/you-ve-seen-the-first-issue-and-what-happened-in-the-last-page-some/)

[Declan Shalvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-shalvey/)

> [Layla brought her arms around herself, no doubt because she was remembering the feel of another, stronger set. "I have wanted to, but he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/layla-brought-her-arms-around-herself-no-doubt-because-she-was/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [I spent two years in Palo Alto - what an awful, suffocating place for those of us who don't care about yoga, yogurts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeny-morozov/i-spent-two-years-in-palo-alto-what-an-awful-suffocating-place-for/)

[Evgeny Morozov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeny-morozov/)

> [It must be that I am dreaming, and that I shall awaken in a moment to see that awful knife descending toward my heart-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-rice-burroughs/it-must-be-that-i-am-dreaming-and-that-i-shall-awaken-in-a-moment-to/)

[Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-rice-burroughs/)

## More by J. K. Rowling

> [I don't think about who the audience is for my books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-about-who-the-audience-is-for-my-books/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [... there are far, far worse things in the living world than dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/there-are-far-far-worse-things-in-the-living-world-than-dying/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [Be ruthless about protecting writing days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/be-ruthless-about-protecting-writing-days/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [“I'll join you when Hell freezes over," said Neville. "Dumbledore's Army!" he shouted, and there was an answering cheer from the crowd, whom Voldemort's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-ll-join-you-when-hell-freezes-over-said-neville-dumbledore-s-army/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [I just hate meetings. Though it's true that once you've made a lot of money, people around you might be full of ideas about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-just-hate-meetings-though-it-s-true-that-once-you-ve-made-a-lot-of/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [What's the worst that could happen? Everyone turned me down; big deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/what-s-the-worst-that-could-happen-everyone-turned-me-down-big-deal/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [Talent and intelligence never yet inoculated anyone against the caprice of the fates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/talent-and-intelligence-never-yet-inoculated-anyone-against-the/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [I don't think there's any harm at all in allowing a kid to fantasize. In fact, I think to stop people from fantasizing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-there-s-any-harm-at-all-in-allowing-a-kid-to-fantasize/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [I don't think I am evangelical in my work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-don-t-think-i-am-evangelical-in-my-work/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/the-mind-is-not-a-book-to-be-opened-at-will-and-examined-at-leisure/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [You'll stay with me?' Until the very end,' said James.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/you-ll-stay-with-me-until-the-very-end-said-james/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [I'm not anti-middle-class in the slightest. Look at me! I am very pro people putting time and money and effort into trying to improve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-m-not-anti-middle-class-in-the-slightest-look-at-me-i-am-very-pro/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [I'd always said never say never, because I knew that Warner Brothers wanted to do something with "Fantastic Beasts," and I did have kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-d-always-said-never-say-never-because-i-knew-that-warner-brothers/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [I'm not putting them on,” said old Archie in indignation. “I like a healthy breeze 'round my privates, thanks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/i-m-not-putting-them-on-said-old-archie-in-indignation-i-like-a/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

> [As he followed Bill back to the others a wry though came to him, born no doubt of the wine he had drunk. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/as-he-followed-bill-back-to-the-others-a-wry-though-came-to-him-born/)

[J. K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

[Explore all 402 J. K. Rowling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/)

## More Awful quotes

> [It must be that I am dreaming, and that I shall awaken in a moment to see that awful knife descending toward my heart-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-rice-burroughs/it-must-be-that-i-am-dreaming-and-that-i-shall-awaken-in-a-moment-to/)

[Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-rice-burroughs/)

> [I spent two years in Palo Alto - what an awful, suffocating place for those of us who don't care about yoga, yogurts and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeny-morozov/i-spent-two-years-in-palo-alto-what-an-awful-suffocating-place-for/)

[Evgeny Morozov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeny-morozov/)

> [Layla brought her arms around herself, no doubt because she was remembering the feel of another, stronger set. "I have wanted to, but he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/layla-brought-her-arms-around-herself-no-doubt-because-she-was/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [You've seen the first issue and what happened in the last page. Some pretty awful stuff. I don't know why I seem to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declan-shalvey/you-ve-seen-the-first-issue-and-what-happened-in-the-last-page-some/)

[Declan Shalvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/declan-shalvey/)

> [It is not like studying German, where you mull along, in a groping, uncertain way, for thirty years; and at last, just as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/it-is-not-like-studying-german-where-you-mull-along-in-a-groping/)

[Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/)

> [There was a special challenge in describing the awful childhood of a person who happens to be my own husband. It was very painful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-stephenson/there-was-a-special-challenge-in-describing-the-awful-childhood-of-a/)

[Pamela Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-stephenson/)

> [On balance the moral influence of religion has been awful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/on-balance-the-moral-influence-of-religion-has-been-awful/)

[Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/)

> [When you finish a poem, it clicks shut like the top of a jewel box, but prose is endless. I haven't experienced an awful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-koch/when-you-finish-a-poem-it-clicks-shut-like-the-top-of-a-jewel-box-but/)

[Kenneth Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-koch/)

> [Fascism: awful stench of saw and axe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-leiris/fascism-awful-stench-of-saw-and-axe/)

[Michel Leiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-leiris/)

> [No one with a bad tie is getting my vote. Some Lib Dems wear the most shockingly awful ties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/freddie-fox/no-one-with-a-bad-tie-is-getting-my-vote-some-lib-dems-wear-the-most/)

[Freddie Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/freddie-fox/)

> [“Here she was back in the brightly lit world she had been avoiding for twenty years, and it was exactly as awful as she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-charles-wilson/here-she-was-back-in-the-brightly-lit-world-she-had-been-avoiding-for/)

[Robert Charles Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-charles-wilson/)

> [I'm pretty indiscriminating, and I have awful taste, generally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nellie-mckay/i-m-pretty-indiscriminating-and-i-have-awful-taste-generally/)

[Nellie McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nellie-mckay/)

> [The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institution may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-blessed-religion-revealed-in-the-word-of-god-will-remain-an/)

[George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/)

> [“I am awful. I am heartless. I am scared that these things are actually true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-am-awful-i-am-heartless-i-am-scared-that-these-things-are-actually/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [Democracy is an awful way to run a country, but it's the best system we have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/democracy-is-an-awful-way-to-run-a-country-but-it-s-the-best-system/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

Browse all 1,826 Awful quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Failure is not fun. It can be awful. But living so cautiously that you never fail is worse.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "J. K. Rowling"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/failure-is-not-fun-it-can-be-awful-but-living-so-cautiously-that-you/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Awful"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/failure-is-not-fun-it-can-be-awful-but-living-so-cautiously-that-you/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f8/j-k-rowling-2-683_awful_failure-is-not-fun-it-can-be-awful-but-l_2094479.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f8/j-k-rowling-2-683_awful_failure-is-not-fun-it-can-be-awful-but-l_2094479.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1f8/j-k-rowling-2-683_awful_failure-is-not-fun-it-can-be-awful-but-l_2094479.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Failure is not fun. It can be awful. But living so cautiously that you never fail is worse.” — J. K. Rowling",
                "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": "J. K. Rowling",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling-2/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Failure is not fun. It can...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/failure-is-not-fun-it-can-be-awful-but-living-so-cautiously-that-you/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling-2/failure-is-not-fun-it-can-be-awful-but-living-so-cautiously-that-you/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
