“Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.”
- August 28, 1749 – March 22, 1832
- German
- Poet, playwright, novelist, philosopher, politician
- His literary works “Faust” and “The Sorrows of Young Werther” had a major impact on world literature.
Quote
“Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.”
Explanation
Goethe compares daring ideas to chessmen that are moved forward in a game. Just as in chess, where moving a piece aggressively might expose it to risk, bold ideas can be met with failure or opposition. However, this daring move has the potential to spark a larger, more strategic victory in the long run. In the same way, even if bold ideas face setbacks, they can lead to greater opportunities and can create the conditions for eventual success. The quote speaks to the value of taking risks, pushing boundaries, and being willing to face failure in order to ultimately succeed. It’s a reminder that innovation and progress often come from stepping into the unknown, even when failure is a possibility.
Historically, this idea aligns with the Romantic and Enlightenment belief in the power of individual initiative, creativity, and innovation. During Goethe’s time, thinkers and artists were beginning to embrace the idea of taking risks and challenging the status quo in order to achieve greatness. Goethe himself was a champion of daring ideas, often encouraging the pursuit of personal vision and originality even in the face of doubt.
In modern contexts, this idea resonates with how we view entrepreneurship, creativity, and scientific advancement. In today’s world, daring ideas are at the core of innovation, whether in technology, art, or social change. Often, the ideas that disrupt the norm or challenge established systems are the ones that change the world, even if they initially encounter resistance. For example, the invention of the internet, or the creation of groundbreaking technologies, came from bold, untested ideas that faced failure before leading to global success.
Goethe’s words remind us that daring ideas, while risky, are essential for progress. Failure should not be feared, for it is often the precursor to success. Like chessmen in a game, a bold move might not always succeed in the immediate moment, but it can set the stage for a winning game in the future.
