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About this quote

What does it mean?
Discovering what works often requires testing what fails, and avoiding mistakes means avoiding discovery.
In plain terms
Finding solutions involves trial and error.
What can you take from it?
Trial and error leads to discovery.

Where it applies

  • research
  • business strategy
  • creative work

Putting it to work

  • test ideas
  • accept errors
  • iterate solutions

Questions to consider

  • How do you test ideas?
  • What counts as a mistake?

Another view

Repeated failure without analysis does not guarantee discovery.

More from Samuel Smiles

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