--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think you have to try and fail, because…" description: "\"I think you have to try and fail, because failure gets you closer to what you're good at.\" — Louis C. K" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/louis-c-k-1150_fail_i-think-you-have-to-try-and-fail-because_774070.png" --- # I think you have to try and fail, because failure gets you… ![“I think you have to try and fail, because failure gets you closer to what you're good at.” quote by Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/louis-c-k-1150_fail_i-think-you-have-to-try-and-fail-because_774070.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/louis-c-k-1150_fail_i-think-you-have-to-try-and-fail-because_774070.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/louis-c-k-1150_fail_i-think-you-have-to-try-and-fail-because_774070.png) > “I think you have to try and fail, because failure gets you closer to what you're good at.” [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Failure provides feedback that refines skills and reveals strengths. **In simple terms:** Failing teaches you what works. Key Takeaway Embrace failure as a learning tool. Themes growth learning resilience Mood determined optimistic Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - career experiments - creative projects - skill building - entrepreneurial ventures Key Concepts feedback loops skill development self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - What have you learned from a recent failure? - How can you turn a setback into a skill? A Different Perspective Failure alone doesn't guarantee success; effort and reflection are also needed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Mental health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-health/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Let's try and fail because through failure you learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-leto/let-s-try-and-fail-because-through-failure-you-learn/) [Jared Leto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-leto/) > [We try, we fail, we posture, we aspire, we pontificate - and then we age, shrink, die, and vanish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/we-try-we-fail-we-posture-we-aspire-we-pontificate-and-then-we-age/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [Yes I try to do everything I can not to fail hideously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-balaban/yes-i-try-to-do-everything-i-can-not-to-fail-hideously/) [Bob Balaban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-balaban/) > [if you don’t try at anything, you can’t fail… it takes back bone to lead the life you want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-yates/if-you-don-t-try-at-anything-you-can-t-fail-it-takes-back-bone-to/) [Richard Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-yates/) > [When I try, I fail. When I trust, He succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/when-i-try-i-fail-when-i-trust-he-succeeds/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [“Think like a queen. A queen if not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/think-like-a-queen-a-queen-if-not-afraid-to-fail-failure-is-another/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [Unwillingness to risk failure is always there, but it gets harder when you feel you have more to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-moore/unwillingness-to-risk-failure-is-always-there-but-it-gets-harder-when/) [Demi Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-moore/) > [My advice is find fuel in failure. Sometimes failure gets you closer to where you want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/my-advice-is-find-fuel-in-failure-sometimes-failure-gets-you-closer/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [Failure gets a bad rap, but I'd like to change that. Failure is necessary. Let it in. Chew it up, and use it as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-tosi/failure-gets-a-bad-rap-but-i-d-like-to-change-that-failure-is/) [Christina Tosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-tosi/) > [“Was better to try and fail, than to never have the experience?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-donovan/was-better-to-try-and-fail-than-to-never-have-the-experience/) [Rebecca Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-donovan/) > [Madame Leota: You try. You fail. You try. You fail. But the only true failure is when you stop trying. Jim: What do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-madame-leota-the-haunted-mansion/madame-leota-you-try-you-fail-you-try-you-fail-but-the-only-true/) Jim Madame Leota; The Haunted Mansion > [It is better to try and fail than fail to try.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/proudlesbian/it-is-better-to-try-and-fail-than-fail-to-try/) ProudLesbian > [It's Better To Try And Fail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-better-to-try-and-fail/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some days, I think maybe we should try and be a little more conventional, but every time I try, I fail, so I'm learning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seinabo-sey/some-days-i-think-maybe-we-should-try-and-be-a-little-more/) [Seinabo Sey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seinabo-sey/) > [Better to try something and fail than to try nothing and succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/better-to-try-something-and-fail-than-to-try-nothing-and-succeed/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Louis C. K > [Technically, I've learned that having good legs and wind is good for being on stage. You have to be in shape and have endurance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/technically-i-ve-learned-that-having-good-legs-and-wind-is-good-for/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I think I'm past any window where I'm suddenly going to become surprisingly ripped so that people go, 'Oh, my God, what happened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-think-i-m-past-any-window-where-i-m-suddenly-going-to-become/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I can feel how an audience is reacting when I'm on a stage, but when you are on stage, your perception is distorted. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-can-feel-how-an-audience-is-reacting-when-i-m-on-a-stage-but-when/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [“You need to develop the ability to just be yourself and not be doing something, that's what the phones are taking away. The ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/you-need-to-develop-the-ability-to-just-be-yourself-and-not-be-doing/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I know what it's like to have a bunch of material that's working that you don't care about. You want to die.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-know-what-it-s-like-to-have-a-bunch-of-material-that-s-working-that/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I just love learning. I think learning is how you live. The verb of my life is learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-just-love-learning-i-think-learning-is-how-you-live-the-verb-of-my/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [There's been a lot of simple vilification of right-wing people. It's really easy to say, 'Well, you're Christian, you're anti-this and that, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/there-s-been-a-lot-of-simple-vilification-of-right-wing-people-it-s/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [“A woman saying yes to a date with a man is literally insane and ill-advised, and the whole species' existence counts on them doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/a-woman-saying-yes-to-a-date-with-a-man-is-literally-insane-and-ill/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [When your kid is being selfish or greedy and you want to help them not be that way, you have to find a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/when-your-kid-is-being-selfish-or-greedy-and-you-want-to-help-them/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [You have to be really tenacious. You have to keep at it. There are many roads to get there. If you can get yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/you-have-to-be-really-tenacious-you-have-to-keep-at-it-there-are-many/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [When I take my kids out for dinner or lunch, people smile at us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/when-i-take-my-kids-out-for-dinner-or-lunch-people-smile-at-us/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I'd love to have a shitty job. I couldn't hold any down. Standup was the only thing I could stick with. I'm an idiot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-d-love-to-have-a-shitty-job-i-couldn-t-hold-any-down-standup-was/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [There's no way you ask Sean Penn a question and then, you're gonna be HUGE !](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/there-s-no-way-you-ask-sean-penn-a-question-and-then-you-re-gonna-be/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [If you had a jetpack you'd be like I have the shittiest jetpack. Who's your service provider on your jetpack? Did they make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/if-you-had-a-jetpack-you-d-be-like-i-have-the-shittiest-jetpack-who-s/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) > [I spend enough time onscreen looking hangdog and depressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-spend-enough-time-onscreen-looking-hangdog-and-depressed/) [Louis C. K](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) [Explore all 282 Louis C. K quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/) ## More Fail quotes > [God's love never fail :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-s-love-never-fail/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Would you like a side of epic with that fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabi/would-you-like-a-side-of-epic-with-that-fail/) [Gabi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabi/) > [Apologies are not pass/fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/apologies-are-not-pass-fail/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) > [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/) > [If you have a good idea you must explain it or you will fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/if-you-have-a-good-idea-you-must-explain-it-or-you-will-fail/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [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/) > [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/) > [“If you die, I will find you. I will never leave you. I will never let you go. I will not let you fall,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thea-harrison/if-you-die-i-will-find-you-i-will-never-leave-you-i-will-never-let/) [Thea Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thea-harrison/) > [“The worst outcome of not trying is never getting to fail.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phillip-gary-smith/the-worst-outcome-of-not-trying-is-never-getting-to-fail/) [Phillip Gary Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phillip-gary-smith/) > [“Many people fail in their career, business and relationship, and others get stuck because of their inability to make quality decisions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nkem-mpamah/many-people-fail-in-their-career-business-and-relationship-and-others/) [Nkem Mpamah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nkem-mpamah/) > [“Quitters don’t gain what they have started working on; waiters don’t start what they could have gained. What is common there is failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/quitters-don-t-gain-what-they-have-started-working-on-waiters-don-t/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [This is my most important role. If I fail at this, I fail at everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-wahlberg/this-is-my-most-important-role-if-i-fail-at-this-i-fail-at-everything/) [Mark Wahlberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-wahlberg/) > [Sunscreen is something that I think a lot of people fail to incorporate into their beauty routines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-zegler/sunscreen-is-something-that-i-think-a-lot-of-people-fail-to/) [Rachel Zegler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-zegler/) > [Never give up on something just because you think you might fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-lee-reed-jr/never-give-up-on-something-just-because-you-think-you-might-fail/) Jimmy Lee Reed Jr > [The main thing that endears the United Nations to member governments, and so enables it to survive, is its proven capacity to fail, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-cruise-o-brien/the-main-thing-that-endears-the-united-nations-to-member-governments/) [Conor Cruise O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-cruise-o-brien/) Browse all 2,202 Fail quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think you have to try and fail, because failure gets you closer to what you're good at.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Louis C. K" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-think-you-have-to-try-and-fail-because-failure-gets-you-closer-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fail" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-think-you-have-to-try-and-fail-because-failure-gets-you-closer-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/louis-c-k-1150_fail_i-think-you-have-to-try-and-fail-because_774070.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/louis-c-k-1150_fail_i-think-you-have-to-try-and-fail-because_774070.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4a/louis-c-k-1150_fail_i-think-you-have-to-try-and-fail-because_774070.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I think you have to try and fail, because failure gets you closer to what you're good at.” — Louis C. K", "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": "Louis C. K", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-c-k/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I think you have to try...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-think-you-have-to-try-and-fail-because-failure-gets-you-closer-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/i-think-you-have-to-try-and-fail-because-failure-gets-you-closer-to/#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 } } ] } ```