Topics · Life & Self
Wisdom about failure.
What people have learned about failure the hard way, and what the classics said about it first.
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From the library
Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.
Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
He who does not fail in the requirements of his position, continues long; he who dies and yet does not perish, has longevity.
Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
As soon as it proceeds to action, it has a name. When it once has that name, (men) can know to rest in it. When they know to rest in it, they can be free from all risk of failure and error.
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
Those three methods (of government) Thought olden ways in elegance did fail And made these names their want of worth to veil; But simple views, and courses plain and true Would selfish ends and many lusts eschew.
He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
Therefore when one is making the Tao his business, those who are also pursuing it, agree with him in it, and those who are making the manifestation of its course their object agree with him in that; while even those who are failing in both these things agree with him where they fail.
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
If heaven were not thus pure, it soon would rend; If earth were not thus sure, 'twould break and bend; Without these powers, the spirits soon would fail; If not so filled, the drought would parch each vale; Without that life, creatures would pass away; Princes and kings, without that moral sway, However grand and high, would all decay.
Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
Hence, those with whom he agrees as to the Tao have the happiness of attaining to it; those with whom he agrees as to its manifestation have the happiness of attaining to it; and those with whom he agrees in their failure have also the happiness of attaining (to the Tao). (But) when there is not faith sufficient (on his part), a want of faith (in him) ensues (on the part of the others).
The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein.
Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.