“Try and fail, but do not fail to try.”
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— John Quincy Adams
This powerful piece of advice comes from John Quincy Adams, the sixth U.S. President. His words cut directly to a fundamental human fear: the fear of failure. Many of us hesitate at the starting line. We worry about stumbling, looking foolish, or not achieving our goals. However, Adams suggests a radical reframing of failure. He argues that the true misstep is not trying at all. The quote separates the act of failing from the failure to act, placing greater weight on the latter.
In essence, attempting a task and not succeeding is simply a part of the journey. It is a data point and a learning experience. Conversely, allowing fear to prevent you from even starting is a definitive failure. It represents a surrender to doubt and a missed opportunity for growth, learning, or unexpected success. This mindset champions courage and action over passive safety.
The Man Behind the Words
Understanding John Quincy Adams’s life gives the quote deeper meaning. He was not a stranger to what many would call failure. After a difficult and contentious presidency, he lost his reelection bid in 1828. For many politicians, this would mark the end of a career. Instead of retiring, Adams did something remarkable. He ran for and won a seat in the House of Representatives just two years later.
He served there for nine terms, becoming a fierce and influential opponent of slavery. . His post-presidential career became one of the most celebrated in American history. Adams lived his own advice. He tried for a second presidential term and failed. Yet, he did not fail to try a new path, ultimately leaving a profound legacy through his work in Congress. His life demonstrates that a perceived failure can open the door to a different, more impactful form of success. Source
The Psychology of Inaction
Why do we so often fail to try? The answer lies in our psychology. The fear of failure, also known as atychiphobia, can be paralyzing. We dread the potential for embarrassment, shame, or financial loss. Our brains are often wired to prefer the known comfort of inaction over the uncertain risks of a new venture. Consequently, we overestimate the negative impact of failing and underestimate our ability to recover.
Psychological studies on regret offer powerful insights. Researchers consistently find that in the long term, people regret the things they didn’t do far more than the things they did. The failed business venture becomes a lesson. The awkward first date becomes a funny story. But the unpursued passion or the unspoken words can haunt us as a permanent question mark of “what if?” This highlights the core of Adams’s wisdom. The sting of a specific failure fades with time. The ache of inaction, however, can last a lifetime.
Overcoming the Barrier to Begin
Embracing this philosophy requires a conscious mental shift. You must learn to view failure not as an endpoint, but as an essential part of the learning process. Innovators in Silicon Valley often speak of “failing fast.” This concept encourages rapid experimentation to find what doesn’t work, thereby accelerating the path to what does. It treats failure as valuable data.
To apply this in your own life, start small. Choose a low-stakes activity you’ve been putting off. For example, try cooking a new, complex recipe. Maybe you will burn the sauce. If so, you will learn what to do differently next time. Or, perhaps you will discover a new favorite meal. The outcome is less important than the act of trying. Each small attempt builds your “courage muscle,” making it easier to take on bigger challenges.
Putting the Quote into Practice
Applying this wisdom can transform key areas of your life. In your career, it might mean volunteering for a challenging project or applying for a promotion, even if you feel underqualified. The worst-case scenario is you don’t get it, but you gain experience and show initiative. In your personal life, it could mean picking up that guitar that’s been gathering dust or starting a conversation with a stranger.
Every attempt, successful or not, expands your comfort zone. It builds resilience and self-confidence. You learn that you can survive setbacks. Furthermore, you begin to detach your self-worth from the outcome of any single effort. Instead, you can take pride in your willingness to engage with life, to take risks, and to show up. As John Quincy Adams understood, the arena is where growth happens, not the sidelines. The greatest failure is never stepping into it at all.