“Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won’t work.”
- February 11, 1847 – October 18, 1931
- European American
- Inventor and businessman
- The “king of inventors” who obtained over 1,000 patents, including the practical application of the incandescent light bulb
Quote
“Results! Why, man, I have gotten a lot of results. I know several thousand things that won’t work.”
Explanation
In this quote, Edison humorously redefines the concept of failure by framing it as valuable results. He acknowledges that his numerous unsuccessful attempts were not failures but experiences that helped him learn what doesn’t work. Edison’s perspective challenges the common notion that success is about avoiding mistakes, suggesting instead that every trial and error brings us closer to understanding the right solution. His own work in developing inventions like the light bulb was filled with countless experiments that didn’t produce immediate success, but each setback gave him more knowledge about what was possible, leading him to eventual breakthroughs.
This mindset is highly relevant in today’s world, where people often feel discouraged by failure or the fear of making mistakes. In fields like business, innovation, and technology, many of today’s great successes come from persistent experimentation and learning from what doesn’t work. For instance, the development of modern smartphones or social media platforms involved years of testing and refining ideas, with many early failures along the way. Edison’s words remind us that failure is not the opposite of success, but a necessary part of the process, and that learning from mistakes is crucial for innovation and growth.
On a personal level, this quote encourages us to embrace mistakes as learning opportunities rather than seeing them as setbacks. Whether we are working on a personal project, pursuing a career goal, or facing a challenge, it’s important to recognize that failure is part of the journey. Edison’s perspective teaches us that the more we experience, even if it’s not immediately successful, the more knowledge we gain to ultimately achieve success. Each “result” is a step closer to finding what works, and perseverance in the face of challenges is key to long-term achievement.
