“Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly, and try another. But by all means, try something.”
- January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945
- American
- Politician
- [Achievements]
- As president of the United States, he promoted economic recovery from the Great Depression with the New Deal policy
- He led the Allied powers to victory in World War II
- [Criticism]
- His hard-line policy toward Japan triggered the attack on Pearl Harbor
- He pushed for the forced internment policy of Japanese Americans due to racist feelings toward the Japanese
- He promoted the Manhattan Project, a plan to develop the atomic bomb
Quote
“Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly, and try another. But by all means, try something.”
Explanation
In this quote, Franklin D. Roosevelt advocates for action and experimentation in the face of challenges. He encourages a proactive approach to problem-solving, suggesting that instead of waiting for the perfect solution or being paralyzed by fear of failure, we should take action, even if that action might not work out. If a chosen method fails, Roosevelt urges individuals to be honest about the outcome, learn from it, and adjust by trying a new approach. The key message here is the importance of perseverance and adaptability—if one solution doesn’t work, keep trying and experimenting until you find something that does.
Roosevelt’s philosophy was particularly relevant during his presidency, especially during the Great Depression when the country faced economic hardship. His New Deal programs reflected this mindset—he implemented a wide range of policies to address the crisis, some of which were more successful than others. Roosevelt believed that trial and error was a necessary part of finding the right solutions for national recovery. His willingness to adapt and learn from mistakes was one of the reasons he was able to implement such wide-ranging reforms.
In today’s context, Roosevelt’s quote remains highly relevant in both personal and professional settings. Whether it’s in business innovation, policy-making, or personal goals, the idea of trying something, learning from failures, and adjusting accordingly is essential for growth and success. In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, flexibility and resilience are key, and Roosevelt’s words remind us that failure is not the end but an opportunity to pivot and try again.
