Aim Quote by Robert Browning
“Better have failed in the high aim, as I, Than vulgarly in the low aim succeed As, God be thanked! I do not.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “Andrea del Sarto” (1855)
Preferring lofty, even failed, ambitions over modest, successful ones, valuing noble effort over safe achievement.
In simple terms: Aim high, even if you fail.
Key Takeaway
Choose ambitious goals over safe success.
Themes
ambition
risk
integrity
Mood
determined
serious
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- creative projects
- ethical dilemmas
- personal growth
Key Concepts
existentialism
personal philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- What high aim are you avoiding?
- Is safety better than significance?
A Different Perspective
High aims can lead to unnecessary sacrifice.
![“I failed, I think, seven [or] eight times before I finally got my first [championship]. It was just, you know, just about me growing up. Now that I'm an old, old veteran-age 29-I do things a lot differently. I don't go to the gentlemen's clubs anymore. I had to slow that down.” quote by Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08f/shaquille-o-neal-659_age_i-failed-i-think-seven-or-eight-times-be_2731.jpg)
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
![“I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback [in "The Invisible Woman"]. Ralph [Fiennes] was very open to my input, I think knowing that he couldn't always be there 100 percent, that he had dual aims with directing and acting.” quote by Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56e/felicity-jones-2070_acting_i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-wa_11933.jpg)
