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About this quote

What does it mean?
Partial success or progress is better than complete inaction or failure.
In plain terms
Having part of what you need is better than having nothing.
What can you take from it?
Value incomplete progress over total stagnation.

Where it applies

  • project setbacks
  • personal goals
  • learning processes

Putting it to work

  • celebrate small wins
  • finish partial tasks
  • avoid all or nothing thinking

Questions to consider

  • Is partial progress always better than no progress?
  • When does stopping halfway become failure?

Another view

Sometimes a half finished product can be worse than none if it creates false hope.

More from Harry Emerson Fosdick

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  2. 'The men of faith might claim for their positions ancient tradition, practical usefulness, and spiritual desirability, but one query could prick all such bubbl…

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  3. 'Some Christians carry their religion on their backs. It is a packet of beliefs and practices which they must bear. At times it grows heavy and they would will…

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