In Washington, success is just a training course for failure.

Yes — that quote is correctly attributed to Simon Hoggart, the British journalist, writer, and broadcaster, best known for his work as a columnist for The Guardian and for his wit and political commentary.

“In Washington, success is just a training course for failure.”
— Simon Hoggart

Context and Background

Simon Hoggart’s quote is a satirical comment on the political culture in Washington, D.C., where success can often be fleeting and comes with great pressure and expectations. Hoggart suggests that the short-lived nature of political success in Washington, combined with the constant cycle of political ambition and change, means that even those who achieve success often end up facing setbacks, failures, or new challenges shortly thereafter.

This remark fits Hoggart’s style of sharp political commentary, where he often pointed out the irony and contradictions of politics, especially in the U.S. capital.

Interpretation

• “Success is just a training course for failure” — Hoggart implies that in Washington, achieving success often sets you up for eventual failure or downfall, given the competitive, volatile nature of politics. It’s as if success is merely the precursor to the challenges that lie ahead.

• The quote reflects the transitory nature of political success, suggesting that even the most celebrated achievements can quickly be overshadowed by new conflicts, scandals, or shifts in public opinion.

Summary

Simon Hoggart’s quote captures the ephemeral nature of success in politics, particularly in Washington, where every victory can be short-lived, and failure often looms just around the corner. It’s a critique of the unstable and cyclical nature of political careers, where success is often just the calm before the storm of challenges and potential failure.