proverb · Words worth keeping
Don't fear failure.
Don't fear failure.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The instruction asks someone not to fear failure. It encourages approaching an attempt without letting the possibility of a setback settle the decision alone.
What the words are saying
The imperative does not mean fear can be removed on command. A responsible application considers risks, support and possible learning without forcing an attempt or declaring a setback beneficial. Someone may reasonably choose a different path.
Everyday example
A learner discusses the limits of an attempt and decides what level of practice feels appropriate.
When to use it
Use it as qualified encouragement with choice and risk retained.
What it does not mean
Failure is not always beneficial, and feeling fear is not a character defect.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 558; PDF page 81
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.