--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How melancholy a thing is success. Whilst…" description: "\"How melancholy a thing is success. Whilst failure inspirits a man, attainment reads the sad prosy lesson that all our glories \"Are shadows, not substan..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce8/richard-francis-burton-22705_attainment_how-melancholy-a-thing-is-success-whilst_1887891.jpg" --- # How melancholy a thing is success. Whilst failure… ![“How melancholy a thing is success. Whilst failure inspirits a man, attainment reads the sad prosy lesson that all our glories "Are shadows, not substantial things." Truly said the sayer, "disappointment is the salt of life" a salutary bitter which strengthens the mind for fresh exertion, and gives…” quote by Richard Francis Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce8/richard-francis-burton-22705_attainment_how-melancholy-a-thing-is-success-whilst_1887891.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce8/richard-francis-burton-22705_attainment_how-melancholy-a-thing-is-success-whilst_1887891.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce8/richard-francis-burton-22705_attainment_how-melancholy-a-thing-is-success-whilst_1887891.jpg) > “How melancholy a thing is success. Whilst failure inspirits a man, attainment reads the sad prosy lesson that all our glories "Are shadows, not substantial things." Truly said the sayer, "disappointment is the salt of life" a salutary bitter which strengthens the mind for fresh exertion, and gives a double value to the prize.” [Richard Francis Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-francis-burton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success is fleeting and insubstantial, while failure fuels growth; disappointment sharpens resolve for future effort. **In simple terms:** Success is shallow, failure builds strength. Key Takeaway Embrace setbacks as teachers. Themes success failure resilience Mood thoughtful encouraging Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career advancement - personal setbacks - creative projects Key Concepts impermanence growth mindset Questions to Reflect On - What lessons have you learned from failure? - How do you turn disappointment into motivation? A Different Perspective Disappointment can also lead to discouragement if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointment/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Glory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/glory/) [Lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lessons/) [Melancholy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/melancholy/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Prize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prize/) [Sad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sad/) [Shadow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shadow/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [The most melancholy thing about human nature, is, that a man may guide others into the path of salvation, without walking in it himself;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prince-augustus-william-of-prussia/the-most-melancholy-thing-about-human-nature-is-that-a-man-may-guide/) Prince Augustus William of Prussia > [Disappointment is often the salt of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-parker/disappointment-is-often-the-salt-of-life/) [Theodore Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-parker/) > [“Never mind the disappointment. 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Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-cooper/) > [The more clearly defined and keenly desired your goals, the more of your natural creativity will be released for goal attainment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/the-more-clearly-defined-and-keenly-desired-your-goals-the-more-of/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [Every attainment, every step forward in knowledge, follows from courage, from hardness against oneself, from cleanliness in relation to oneself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-attainment-every-step-forward-in-knowledge-follows-from-courage/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [And only the very courageous will be able to keep alive the spirit of individualism and dissent which gave birth to this nation, nourished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/and-only-the-very-courageous-will-be-able-to-keep-alive-the-spirit-of/) [John F. 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