Attainment Quote by Thomas Carlyle
“It is in general more profitable to reckon up our defeats than to boast of our attainments.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Signs of the Times, 1849
Counting defeats teaches humility and growth, whereas boasting of successes breeds complacency and arrogance.
In simple terms: Defeats teach humility; boasting breeds arrogance.
Embrace humility by acknowledging failures.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- career development
- personal goal setting
- team retrospectives
- educational feedback
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What defeats have shaped your current strengths?
- How can you celebrate achievements without becoming complacent?
Overemphasis on failures can demoralize; balance is needed.