There are no second acts in American lives.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- This implies that in American culture, failure or a major fall often ends one's trajectory permanently.
- In plain terms
- You usually get only one chance to succeed before it is too late.
- What can you take from it?
- Take your opportunities seriously because restarts are rare.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is the American Dream too fragile?
- What defines a successful life?
Another view
History shows many Americans do get second chances after failure.
More from F. Scott Fitzgerald
There are no days in life so memorable as those which vibrated to some stroke of the imagination.
Permalink to quote #88 Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the ability to start over.
Permalink to quote #90 The world, as a rule, does not live on beaches and in country clubs.
Permalink to quote #87
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