“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”
- February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865
- American
- Politician, lawyer
- As the 16th President of the United States, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation and led the Civil War to maintain the unity of the nation.
Quote
“My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.”
Explanation
In this quote, Abraham Lincoln expresses his belief that personal growth and resilience are far more important than the mere fact of failure itself. Failure is often an inevitable part of life, but Lincoln emphasizes that it is not the failure that defines a person, but their attitude toward it. To be content with failure implies a lack of ambition, self-reflection, or the desire to improve, which Lincoln saw as dangerous to both individual success and the broader national good. His leadership, especially during the Civil War, was a model of persistence in the face of adversity, and he often stressed that true strength lies in overcoming setbacks and continually striving for better outcomes.
Historically, this quote reflects Lincoln’s own experience with repeated setbacks. Before becoming president, he faced numerous personal and political defeats: he lost elections, failed business ventures, and even experienced personal despair. Yet he was never content with failure; instead, he used those setbacks as fuel for future attempts. This mindset is critical not only for personal development but also for national leadership during a time of crisis, such as the Civil War, where endurance, learning from mistakes, and growth through adversity were key to eventual success.
In modern times, Lincoln’s sentiment can be applied to personal development, leadership, and resilience. In an era of instant success culture and the fear of failure, this quote is a reminder that failure should be seen as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint. Whether in the workplace, education, or personal life, the focus should be on how we respond to failure—with a desire to learn, adapt, and keep moving forward—rather than being discouraged or resigned. The idea of not being content with failure can be a motivating force to continually pursue improvement, ensuring that setbacks are not permanent obstacles but opportunities for growth and eventual success.
