--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Success or failure in business is caused…" description: "\"Success or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than by mental capacities.\" — Walter Scott" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c84/walter-scott-775_attitude_success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused_2469683.png" --- # Success or failure in business is caused more by the… ![“Success or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than by mental capacities.” quote by Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c84/walter-scott-775_attitude_success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused_2469683.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c84/walter-scott-775_attitude_success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused_2469683.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c84/walter-scott-775_attitude_success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused_2469683.png) > “Success or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than by mental capacities.” [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mindset shapes business outcomes more than innate ability; attitude drives performance. **In simple terms:** Attitude matters more than skill. Key Takeaway Cultivate a positive mindset. Themes mindset attitude business success psychology performance Mood reflective optimistic Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - entrepreneurship - team management - sales negotiations Key Concepts growth mindset leadership psychological factors Questions to Reflect On - How can you strengthen your mental attitude? - What habits support a winning mindset? A Different Perspective Skills still matter for execution. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Attitude Mental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude-mental-560712/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Business Caused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business-caused-747435/) [Caused Mental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caused-mental-747434/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Failure Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure-business-678805/) [Mental attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-attitude/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Success or failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success-or-failure/) ## Related quotes > [Success or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude more than by mental capacities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-walter-scott/success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused-more-by-the-mental-attitude/) [Sir Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-walter-scott/) > [Success or failure in business is caused more by mental attitude even than by mental capacity. 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The cause of their failure is no business of mine, but I want successful men as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/i-have-no-use-for-men-who-fail-the-cause-of-their-failure-is-no/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [The war on drugs has gone on for about forty-five, fifty years - and it's been a complete failure. If you had a business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/the-war-on-drugs-has-gone-on-for-about-forty-five-fifty-years-and-it/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [“Thus she is almost always a failure as a lawyer, for the law requires only an armament of hollow phrases and stereotyped formulae, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken-2/thus-she-is-almost-always-a-failure-as-a-lawyer-for-the-law-requires/) [H.L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken-2/) > [“Consumers have a hunger for a clear message about the determinants of success and failure in business, and they need stories that offer a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-kahneman/consumers-have-a-hunger-for-a-clear-message-about-the-determinants-of/) [Daniel Kahneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kahneman/) > [What separates champions from mere mortals is not just talent. It is attitude. It is mental strength. It is the willingness to fight when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prakah-iyer/what-separates-champions-from-mere-mortals-is-not-just-talent-it-is/) [Prakah Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prakah-iyer/) > [You can't afford to be afraid of failure in this business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikram-bhatt/you-can-t-afford-to-be-afraid-of-failure-in-this-business/) [Vikram Bhatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikram-bhatt/) > [“Taking DHEA caused a mental awakening in me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/taking-dhea-caused-a-mental-awakening-in-me/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [He hated it when adults told him he only felt the way he did because he was young. As if being young was like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-doctorow/he-hated-it-when-adults-told-him-he-only-felt-the-way-he-did-because/) [Cory Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-doctorow/) > [Theories that diseases are caused by mental states and can be cured by will power, are always an index of how much is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/theories-that-diseases-are-caused-by-mental-states-and-can-be-cured/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [I suspect the psychological pressure associated with that crisis caused the first mental blackout I had ever suffered. It contributed to a deterioration in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamisese-mara/i-suspect-the-psychological-pressure-associated-with-that-crisis/) [Kamisese Mara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamisese-mara/) > [“Theories that diseases are caused by mental states and can be cured by will power are always an index of how much is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/theories-that-diseases-are-caused-by-mental-states-and-can-be-cured-2/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) ## More by Walter Scott > [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Where shall the lover rest, Whom the fates sever From his true maiden's breast, Parted for ever? Where, through groves deep and high, Sounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/where-shall-the-lover-rest-whom-the-fates-sever-from-his-true-maiden/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [O! many a shaft, at random sent, Finds mark the archer little meant! And many a word, at random spoken, May soothe or wound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/o-many-a-shaft-at-random-sent-finds-mark-the-archer-little-meant-and/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [And better had they ne'er been born, Who read to doubt, or read to scorn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/and-better-had-they-ne-er-been-born-who-read-to-doubt-or-read-to-scorn/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Where is the coward that would not dare to fight for such a land as Scotland?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/where-is-the-coward-that-would-not-dare-to-fight-for-such-a-land-as/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Loud o'er my head though awful thunders roll, And vivid lightnings flash from pole to pole, Yet 'tis Thy voice, my God, that bids…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/loud-o-er-my-head-though-awful-thunders-roll-and-vivid-lightnings/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [The race of humankind would perish did they cease to aid each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-race-of-humankind-would-perish-did-they-cease-to-aid-each-other/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [“but he had only received that sort of answer usually given by those who are more obstinate in following their own course, than strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/but-he-had-only-received-that-sort-of-answer-usually-given-by-those/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [“Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, and men below, and the saints above, for love is heaven, and heaven is love. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/love-rules-the-court-the-camp-the-grove-and-men-below-and-the-saints/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Fortune may raise up or abuse the ordinary mortal, but the sage and the soldier should have minds beyond her control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/fortune-may-raise-up-or-abuse-the-ordinary-mortal-but-the-sage-and/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [But woe awaits a country when She sees the tears of bearded men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/but-woe-awaits-a-country-when-she-sees-the-tears-of-bearded-men/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [In peace, Love tunes the shepherd's reed; In war, he mounts the warrior's steed; In halls, in gay attire is seen; In hamlets, dances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/in-peace-love-tunes-the-shepherd-s-reed-in-war-he-mounts-the-warrior/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [Honour is a homicide and a bloodspiller, that gangs about making frays in the street; but Credit is a decent honest man, that sits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/honour-is-a-homicide-and-a-bloodspiller-that-gangs-about-making-frays/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [“The lovers of the chase say that the hare feels more agony during the pursuit of the greyhounds, than when she is struggling in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/the-lovers-of-the-chase-say-that-the-hare-feels-more-agony-during-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [I am she, O most bucolical juvenal, under whose charge are placed the milky mothers of the herd.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/i-am-she-o-most-bucolical-juvenal-under-whose-charge-are-placed-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) [Explore all 372 Walter Scott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Success or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than by mental capacities.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Walter Scott" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused-more-by-the-mental-attitude-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused-more-by-the-mental-attitude-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c84/walter-scott-775_attitude_success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused_2469683.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c84/walter-scott-775_attitude_success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused_2469683.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c84/walter-scott-775_attitude_success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused_2469683.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Success or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than by mental capacities.” — Walter Scott", "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": "Walter Scott", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Success or failure in business is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused-more-by-the-mental-attitude-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/success-or-failure-in-business-is-caused-more-by-the-mental-attitude-2/#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 } } ] } ```