--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope…" description: "\"Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear. What does it mean that success is a dangerous as failure? Whether you go up the ladder o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/laozi-147_all-things_success-is-as-dangerous-as-failure-hope_505270.jpg" --- # Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as… ![“Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear. What does it mean that success is a dangerous as failure? Whether you go up the ladder or down it, you position is shaky. When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance. What does it mean that hope…” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/laozi-147_all-things_success-is-as-dangerous-as-failure-hope_505270.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/laozi-147_all-things_success-is-as-dangerous-as-failure-hope_505270.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95a/laozi-147_all-things_success-is-as-dangerous-as-failure-hope_505270.jpg) > “Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear. What does it mean that success is a dangerous as failure? Whether you go up the ladder or down it, you position is shaky. When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance. What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear? Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don't see the self as self, what do we have to fear? See the world as your self. Have faith in the way things are. Love the world as your self; then you can care for all things.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success and failure both carry hidden perils; hope and fear are empty constructs that arise from self‑attachment. **In simple terms:** Success and failure are risky; hope and fear are empty. Key Takeaway Stay grounded and see beyond self‑interest. Themes balance self‑awareness impermanence Mood calm reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career decisions - personal growth - meditation - conflict resolution Key Concepts Taoism psychology spirituality Questions to Reflect On - How does grounding yourself reduce fear? - What does seeing the world as self change your actions? A Different Perspective Neglecting self‑reflection can amplify these dangers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Care](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Hopes and fears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hopes-and-fears/) [Phantoms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phantoms/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Success is as dangerous as failure. Hope is as hollow as fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/success-is-as-dangerous-as-failure-hope-is-as-hollow-as-fear/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Hope and fear are inseparable. There is no hope without fear, nor any fear without hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/hope-and-fear-are-inseparable-there-is-no-hope-without-fear-nor-any/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [“I lie there thinking about how everything I've done is a failure, death and failure, and there's no hope for me except being homeless,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-vizzini/i-lie-there-thinking-about-how-everything-i-ve-done-is-a-failure/) [Ned Vizzini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-vizzini/) > [“I must reluctantly observe that two causes, the abbreviation of time, and the failure of hope, will always tinge with a browner shade the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/i-must-reluctantly-observe-that-two-causes-the-abbreviation-of-time/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [“the failure of hope has a name: it is called suffering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/the-failure-of-hope-has-a-name-it-is-called-suffering/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [Success may result in winning, but winning does not necessarily mean you are a success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/success-may-result-in-winning-but-winning-does-not-necessarily-mean/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [My best advice to actors is if you love acting, do it every chance you get. Success does not mean success. All that matters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-gray-gubler/my-best-advice-to-actors-is-if-you-love-acting-do-it-every-chance-you/) [Matthew Gray Gubler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-gray-gubler/) > [Success, in my view, is the willingness to strive for something you really want. The person not reaching the top is no less a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-tarkenton/success-in-my-view-is-the-willingness-to-strive-for-something-you-2/) [Fran Tarkenton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-tarkenton/) > [“When you have failed at being nice, you’ve actually succeeded in being mean. Success is everywhere if you know where to look for it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katina-ferguson/when-you-have-failed-at-being-nice-you-ve-actually-succeeded-in-being/) [Katina Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katina-ferguson/) > [The failure to be perfect does not mean you are not a success; it is giving your best that helps you to understand the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fran-tarkenton/the-failure-to-be-perfect-does-not-mean-you-are-not-a-success-it-is/) [Fran Tarkenton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fran-tarkenton/) > [The most important thing is playoff sex…er…um...I mean success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-crawford/the-most-important-thing-is-playoff-sex-er-um-i-mean-success/) Marc Crawford > [People often ask me for the secret to success. Usually, they mean success in the music industry, but I think the answer applies to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-lynn/people-often-ask-me-for-the-secret-to-success-usually-they-mean/) [Vera Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-lynn/) > [Success on one project does not necessarily mean success in the next project. You've got to be prepared in everything you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-jahn/success-on-one-project-does-not-necessarily-mean-success-in-the-next/) [Helmut Jahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-jahn/) > [You see, money isn't everything - I know it sounds corny but I really mean it - success means a lot more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glynis-johns/you-see-money-isn-t-everything-i-know-it-sounds-corny-but-i-really/) [Glynis Johns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glynis-johns/) > [When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-stand-with-your-two-feet-on-the-ground-you-will-always-keep/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More All things quotes > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [To explicate the uses of the Brain seems as difficult a task as to paint the Soul, of which it is commonly said, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-willis/to-explicate-the-uses-of-the-brain-seems-as-difficult-a-task-as-to/) [Thomas Willis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-willis/) > [A tree is a self: it is 'unseen shaping' more than it is leaves or bark, roots or cellulose or fruit ... What this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-swimme/a-tree-is-a-self-it-is-unseen-shaping-more-than-it-is-leaves-or-bark/) [Brian Swimme](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-swimme/) > [Dear God, I trust that no matter what happens in my life, it is for my highest good. And no matter what happens in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/dear-god-i-trust-that-no-matter-what-happens-in-my-life-it-is-for-my/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Moderation, honey, in all things but love and chocolate. 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They deepened my sense of God as the creator of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-linzey/when-i-was-in-my-teens-i-had-a-series-of-intensely-religious/) [Andrew Linzey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-linzey/) > [It is more than a little ironic that "capital accumulation" once a rather tendentious Marxian view of a supposed capitalist obsession, should have become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kuttner/it-is-more-than-a-little-ironic-that-capital-accumulation-once-a/) [Robert Kuttner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kuttner/) > [The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, as it pleases him, for he can do all things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer/the-lord-gives-and-the-lord-takes-away-as-it-pleases-him-for-he-can/) [Homer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer/) > [Time, which wears down and diminishes all things, augments and increases good deeds, because a good turn liberally offered to a reasonable man grows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-rabelais/time-which-wears-down-and-diminishes-all-things-augments-and/) [Francois Rabelais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-rabelais/) > [Standing as a witness in all things means being kind in all things, being the first to say hello, being the first to smile,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-d-nadauld/standing-as-a-witness-in-all-things-means-being-kind-in-all-things/) [Margaret D. 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