Ability Quote by John Dewey
“Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes. Genuine ignorance is profitable because it is likely to be accompanied by humility, curiosity, and open-mindedness; whereas ability to repeat catch-phrases, can't terms, familiar propositions, gives the conceit of learning and coats the mind with varnish waterproof to new ideas.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Experience and Education, 1938
Learning comes from both success and failure; humility and curiosity are more valuable than mere repetition.
In simple terms: Both success and failure teach; humility and curiosity matter.
Key Takeaway
Embrace failure as a teacher and stay curious.
Themes
learning
humility
curiosity
growth
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- classroom teaching
- personal development
- innovation cycles
Key Concepts
epistemology
mindset
open‑mindedness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you cultivate humility after success?
- What practices keep curiosity alive?
A Different Perspective
Focusing only on success can limit deeper understanding.
