--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whether we are able to be a complete…" description: "\"Whether we are able to be a complete success or failure is in such critical balance that every smallest human test of integrity every smallest moment-t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/r-buckminster-fuller-937_able_whether-we-are-able-to-be-a-complete-suc_2308658.png" --- # Whether we are able to be a complete success or failure is… ![“Whether we are able to be a complete success or failure is in such critical balance that every smallest human test of integrity every smallest moment-to-moment decision tips the scales affirmatively or negatively.” quote by R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/r-buckminster-fuller-937_able_whether-we-are-able-to-be-a-complete-suc_2308658.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/r-buckminster-fuller-937_able_whether-we-are-able-to-be-a-complete-suc_2308658.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/59c/r-buckminster-fuller-937_able_whether-we-are-able-to-be-a-complete-suc_2308658.png) > “Whether we are able to be a complete success or failure is in such critical balance that every smallest human test of integrity every smallest moment-to-moment decision tips the scales affirmatively or negatively.” [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human actions, even tiny ones, tip the balance between success and failure, highlighting the weight of integrity. **In simple terms:** Small choices shape big outcomes. Key Takeaway Make each decision with integrity. Themes integrity choice balance consequence Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - making ethical decisions - leadership - personal growth - risk assessment Key Concepts ethics systems thinking Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure integrity in daily life? - What small decision could change your path? A Different Perspective It oversimplifies complex outcomes to single moments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Balance Smallest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance-smallest-5475540/) [Critical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critical/) [Critical Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critical-balance-5475539/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Failure Critical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure-critical-2594779/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Integrity Smallest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity-smallest-5475538/) [Interesting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interesting/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Scales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scales/) [Smallest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smallest/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Success or failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success-or-failure/) [Tests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tests/) ## Related quotes > [Incompetence, in my books, is the failure of the critical faculties to interfere constructively with the natural flow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/incompetence-in-my-books-is-the-failure-of-the-critical-faculties-to/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [A lesson learned, both in the SEAL teams and as an entrepreneur, is that failure is sometimes a critical component of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-webb/a-lesson-learned-both-in-the-seal-teams-and-as-an-entrepreneur-is/) [Brandon Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-webb/) > [What is commonly overlooked in using the computer is the fact that the central goal of design is still to obviate failure, and thus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/what-is-commonly-overlooked-in-using-the-computer-is-the-fact-that/) [Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/) > [If success or failure of this planet and of human beings depended on how I am and what I do... 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Man himself is being forced to reestablish, employ, and enjoy his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/man-is-going-to-be-displaced-altogether-as-a-specialist-by-the/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [If we design the environment properly It will permit both child and adult to develop safely And to behave logically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/if-we-design-the-environment-properly-it-will-permit-both-child-and/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [We are in an age that assumes the narrowing trends of specialization to be logical, natural, and desirable. Consequently, society expects all earnestly responsible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/we-are-in-an-age-that-assumes-the-narrowing-trends-of-specialization/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [Synergy means behavior of whole systems unpredicted by the behavior of their parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/synergy-means-behavior-of-whole-systems-unpredicted-by-the-behavior/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [We must start with scientific fundamentals, and that means with the data of experiments and not with assumed axioms predicated only upon the misleading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/we-must-start-with-scientific-fundamentals-and-that-means-with-the/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [The Universe consists of non-simultaneously apprehended events.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/the-universe-consists-of-non-simultaneously-apprehended-events/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [Humans have always unknowingly affected all Universe by every act and thought they articulate or even consider.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/humans-have-always-unknowingly-affected-all-universe-by-every-act-and/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [There is no such thing as a failed experiment, only experiments with unexpected outcomes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/there-is-no-such-thing-as-a-failed-experiment-only-experiments-with/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) [Explore all 325 R. 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