Failure is not a permanent condition, and understanding this is the key to unlocking long-term success. It’s a temporary state, a moment in time, not a life sentence. This mindset shift is what separates those who ultimately succeed from those who get stuck.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that a setback is just that—a setback. It’s not a final verdict on your capabilities or your future.
Explanation
Look, I’ve seen this play out so many times. People hit a wall—a project fails, a promotion doesn’t come through, a business idea flops—and they internalize it. They start to believe “I am a failure.” But that’s the trap. Duckworth’s point is that failure is an event, not an identity. It’s data. It’s feedback. It’s the temporary, often painful, price of admission for growth. The real differentiator, the thing we call grit, is the ability to see that temporary state for what it is and keep going. To learn from it, adapt, and try again with new information. It’s about the long game.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Personal Development (697) |
| Topics | failure (52), mindset (133), resilience (106) |
| Literary Style | assertive (142), minimalist (442) |
| Emotion / Mood | hopeful (357), lively (108) |
| Overall Quote Score | 82 (297) |
Origin & Factcheck
This insight comes directly from Angela Duckworth’s 2016 book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, which was published in the United States. It’s a central theme of her research, not just a passing remark. You sometimes see similar sentiments misattributed to others, but this specific phrasing and its deep exploration belong to Duckworth’s work on achievement.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Dr Angela Duckworth (58) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (58) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Angela Duckworth is a University of Pennsylvania psychology professor and MacArthur Fellow whose research focuses on grit, self-control, and achievement. She taught middle school before earning her PhD at Penn and later founded Character Lab to advance the science of character development. Her bestseller Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance has shaped thinking in education and performance science. She co-hosts No Stupid Questions on the Freakonomics network. If you’re browsing the Angela Duckworth book list, you’ll find practical, research-backed guidance for cultivating passion and perseverance.
| Official Website
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Failure is not a permanent condition |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2016; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 978-1501111105; Last edition: Scribner 2016; Number of pages: 352 |
| Where is it? | Chapter 9: Hope, page 177 (2016 Edition) |