--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: for every failure, for every mistake…" description: "\"“for every failure, for every mistake, there were hundreds of successes: hostages rescued, suicide bombers stopped, pirates captured, terrorists killed..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/william-h-mcraven-13570_failure_for-every-failure-for-every-mistake-ther_554456.png" --- # for every failure, for every mistake, there were hundreds… ![“for every failure, for every mistake, there were hundreds of successes: hostages rescued, suicide bombers stopped, pirates captured, terrorists killed, and countless lives saved. I realized that the past failures had strengthened me, taught me that no one is immune from mistakes. True leaders must…” quote by William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/william-h-mcraven-13570_failure_for-every-failure-for-every-mistake-ther_554456.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/william-h-mcraven-13570_failure_for-every-failure-for-every-mistake-ther_554456.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73b/william-h-mcraven-13570_failure_for-every-failure-for-every-mistake-ther_554456.png) > ““for every failure, for every mistake, there were hundreds of successes: hostages rescued, suicide bombers stopped, pirates captured, terrorists killed, and countless lives saved. I realized that the past failures had strengthened me, taught me that no one is immune from mistakes. True leaders must learn from their failures, use the lessons to motivate themselves, and not be afraid to try again or make the next tough decision.”” [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaders grow by confronting past failures, extracting lessons, and using them to drive future bold decisions. **In simple terms:** Failure teaches and fuels future success. Key Takeaway Embrace mistakes, learn, act again. Themes leadership resilience learning from failure courage decision‑making Mood determined reflective inspirational Type motivational leadership When to use this quote - military leadership - business management - personal development - public speaking - team building Key Concepts growth mindset accountability risk tolerance Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn a recent mistake into a concrete action plan? - What safeguards prevent repeated errors? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on past failures can cause paralysis if not balanced with confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Failures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failures/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Past failures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past-failures/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Tough Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tough-decision/) ## Related quotes > [“I realized that the past failures had strengthened me, taught me that no one is immune from mistakes. True leaders must learn from their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/i-realized-that-the-past-failures-had-strengthened-me-taught-me-that/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [“By 2003, I found myself in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now that I was a one-star admiral leading troops in a war zone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/by-2003-i-found-myself-in-combat-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-now-that-i/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [Dont be afraid to fail. Dont waste energy trying to cover up failure. Learn from your failures and be better next time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohd-uved/dont-be-afraid-to-fail-dont-waste-energy-trying-to-cover-up-failure/) [Mohd Uved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohd-uved/) > [We do not learn so much by our successes as we learn by failures - our own and others! Especially if we see the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/we-do-not-learn-so-much-by-our-successes-as-we-learn-by-failures-our/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) > [I learn from my failures, but I will always try technical things; I will always try to take pleasure and do great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/memphis-depay/i-learn-from-my-failures-but-i-will-always-try-technical-things-i/) [Memphis Depay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/memphis-depay/) > [You learn from your failures to make yourself better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-schwarber/you-learn-from-your-failures-to-make-yourself-better/) [Kyle Schwarber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-schwarber/) > [I have a lot of insecurities, but you learn from your failures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmut-lang/i-have-a-lot-of-insecurities-but-you-learn-from-your-failures/) [Helmut Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmut-lang/) > [I think you learn more from your failures than your successes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andi-dorfman/i-think-you-learn-more-from-your-failures-than-your-successes/) [Andi Dorfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andi-dorfman/) > [You need to fail quickly and learn from those failures to continue to build along the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-hyman/you-need-to-fail-quickly-and-learn-from-those-failures-to-continue-to/) [Jennifer Hyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-hyman/) > [Often we will learn more from our failures than we do from our successes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-capodagli/often-we-will-learn-more-from-our-failures-than-we-do-from-our/) [Bill Capodagli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-capodagli/) > [“Recognize your failures when they happen but don’t dwell on them. Instead, focus on the successes you have had in your life. If you’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/recognize-your-failures-when-they-happen-but-don-t-dwell-on-them/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [“People will oppose your progress. They will remind you of your past failures, belittle you, etc. The only way to stand against such opposition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-s-mashego/people-will-oppose-your-progress-they-will-remind-you-of-your-past/) [D.S. Mashego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-s-mashego/) > [The paradox is that when we model future designs on past successes, we are inviting failure down the line; when we take into account…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/the-paradox-is-that-when-we-model-future-designs-on-past-successes-we/) [Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/) > [Let me realize that my past failures at follow-through are no indication of my future performance. They're just healthy little fires that are gonna…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ze-frank/let-me-realize-that-my-past-failures-at-follow-through-are-no/) [Ze Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ze-frank/) > [Past failures unlock future successes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/past-failures-unlock-future-successes/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) ## More by William H. McRaven > [“By 2003, I found myself in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now that I was a one-star admiral leading troops in a war zone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/by-2003-i-found-myself-in-combat-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-now-that-i/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/if-you-want-to-change-the-world-start-off-by-making-your-bed/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [As ISIS begins to gain momentum beyond where they already are, it really does create - but you see the surge of refugees and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/as-isis-begins-to-gain-momentum-beyond-where-they-already-are-it/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [I am not running with Hillary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/i-am-not-running-with-hillary/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [“The common people and the great men and women are all defined by how they deal with life’s unfairness: Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, Stephen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/the-common-people-and-the-great-men-and-women-are-all-defined-by-how/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [ Following is one of the most underrated aspects of leadership… I have seen many a good \[military unit\] underachieve, because someone...thought the commander was… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/following-is-one-of-the-most-underrated-aspects-of-leadership-i-have/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [“After the war, Manor returned to New York University and finished his degree in 1947. Later that year he became an instructor at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/after-the-war-manor-returned-to-new-york-university-and-finished-his/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [Petraeus is the finest general I have ever worked for; Holly Petraeus is a great American hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/petraeus-is-the-finest-general-i-have-ever-worked-for-holly-petraeus/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [Nighttime frequently increases alertness, and each mission should consider the ramifications of a night assault. Several of the most successful special operations were conducted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/nighttime-frequently-increases-alertness-and-each-mission-should/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [“In life you will face a lot of Circuses. You will pay for your failures. But, if you persevere, if you let those failures…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/in-life-you-will-face-a-lot-of-circuses-you-will-pay-for-your/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [“It is easy to blame your lot in life on some outside force, to stop trying because you believe fate is against you. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/it-is-easy-to-blame-your-lot-in-life-on-some-outside-force-to-stop/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [“You cannot paddle the boat alone. Find someone to share your life with. Make as many friends as possible, and never forget that your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/you-cannot-paddle-the-boat-alone-find-someone-to-share-your-life-with/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [“Making my bed correctly was not going to be an opportunity for praise. It was expected of me. It was my first task of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/making-my-bed-correctly-was-not-going-to-be-an-opportunity-for-praise/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [I think ninjas are probably quieter than SEALs, but we are better swimmers, and also better with guns and blowing things up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/i-think-ninjas-are-probably-quieter-than-seals-but-we-are-better/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [SEALs aren't the only heroes out there. Everyone who puts on a uniform meets that threshold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/seals-aren-t-the-only-heroes-out-there-everyone-who-puts-on-a-uniform/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) [Explore all 50 William H. McRaven quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) ## More Failure quotes > [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/) [Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/) > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [No one is completely unhappy at the failure of his best friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/no-one-is-completely-unhappy-at-the-failure-of-his-best-friend/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) > [“Rhiannon's Law #28: If you're going to fuck up, be sure to fuck up good and proper. Nothing makes failure acceptable, so you might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/rhiannon-s-law-28-if-you-re-going-to-fuck-up-be-sure-to-fuck-up-good/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Failure is a part of life and you have to learn to deal with it. Failure is something that is part of life's cycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/failure-is-a-part-of-life-and-you-have-to-learn-to-deal-with-it/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [First action was a mistake. What about the second? third? fourth and fifth?...Mehn you are bad...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/first-action-was-a-mistake-what-about-the-second-third-fourth-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God's love never fail :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-s-love-never-fail/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don’t you just hate nights like that, when you think over every mistake you’ve made, every hurt you’ve received, every bit of meanness you’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlaine-harris/don-t-you-just-hate-nights-like-that-when-you-think-over-every/) [Charlaine Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlaine-harris/) > [“Our failure to understand another being's inner reality doesn't make that reality any less real, or any less valuable to that being. (p.255)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-schulz/our-failure-to-understand-another-being-s-inner-reality-doesn-t-make/) [Kathryn Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-schulz/) > [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/) [Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/) > [Don't take too much comfort in the fact that you're successful today because tomorrow could bring failure. There's no surety in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-savage/don-t-take-too-much-comfort-in-the-fact-that-you-re-successful-today/) [Michael Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-savage/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [As we are coming to the end of the year, I want you to forget about the past, the failure, the negative thoughts or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-we-are-coming-to-the-end-of-the-year-i-want-you-to-forget-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 27,498 Failure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“for every failure, for every mistake, there were hundreds of successes: hostages rescued, suicide bombers stopped, pirates captured, terrorists killed, and countless lives saved. 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