It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they

Host: The room was softly lit, the quiet evening settling in as the light from the window faded, leaving the space filled with a peaceful stillness. Jack sat in his chair, staring at the window, his mind clearly elsewhere. Jeeny sat across from him, her legs curled up under her, a book in her lap that she wasn’t really reading. The air between them was calm, yet there was an unspoken tension, as if something was waiting to be said.

Host: Samuel Smiles’ words drifted into the quiet: “It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures. Precept, study, advice, and example could never have taught them so well as failure has done.” There was something about that statement that felt deeply true, even in its simplicity. The idea that failure, something most people fear, could be the key to success was both profound and, in a way, comforting.

Jeeny: She spoke softly, almost gently, as though the words had struck a chord with her: “Do you ever think about how much we learn from failure? It’s like Smiles is saying that success isn’t just about doing everything right—it’s about what we learn when things don’t work out. That failure, in a way, teaches us more than success ever could.”

Jack: His voice was calm, but tinged with curiosity: “I get what he’s saying, but doesn’t it feel a little counterintuitive? I mean, we’re taught from a young age that success is the goal, that it’s the endgame. Failure is seen as something to be avoided, not something that should be embraced or learned from. So, it’s hard to swallow the idea that failing is actually more valuable than succeeding.”

Jeeny: She nodded, her voice thoughtful, but with a quiet understanding: “I think that’s the thing, though. We’re conditioned to fear failure, to think of it as a mark of defeat. But when we fail, we’re forced to confront things we wouldn’t otherwise see. Mistakes, setbacks, and challenges teach us things that success can’t. They force us to adapt, to rethink, to grow. And in doing so, we become better versions of ourselves, not just in spite of failure, but because of it.”

Host: The air in the room felt heavier now, the weight of her words settling between them. Jack’s gaze softened, and for the first time in their conversation, he seemed to be taking in the idea that failure wasn’t something to be avoided but something to be understood and embraced.

Jack: His voice was reflective, quieter than usual: “You know, I’ve always thought of failure as something that marks the end of a road. Like, if you fail, you’re done. But maybe that’s the problem—we see failure as final, when it’s really just part of the process. Failure doesn’t mean you’ve lost. It just means you have something new to learn, something to build on.”

Jeeny: Her smile was gentle, almost reassuring, as she spoke: “Exactly. The best lessons aren’t always the easiest ones. Failure hurts, but it’s also a chance to reflect, to understand what went wrong and how you can do it better next time. It’s humbling, sure, but it’s also empowering. It gives you the tools you need to keep going, to keep growing.”

Host: The room was quieter now, the conversation shifting from the idea of failure as a negative force to something far more constructive. There was a sense of calm in the realization that success wasn’t the only measure of progress—it was often the failures along the way that provided the most valuable lessons.

Jack: His voice, now more grounded, reflected a deeper understanding: “So, we’re not just supposed to succeed to learn. We’re supposed to fail, too. Those failures aren’t setbacks—they’re stepping stones. Each one teaches us something new, something we wouldn’t have known if we hadn’t tried.”

Jeeny: She nodded, her voice affirmative and full of warmth: “Exactly. Failure doesn’t define us. It just shows us where we can improve, how we can keep evolving. And the more we fail, the more we learn. Success is important, but it’s not the only thing that teaches us. The mistakes, the stumbles, those are what help us grow.”

Host: There was a moment of stillness between them, the weight of their conversation settling into a peaceful understanding. The room felt lighter, as though the pressure of needing to succeed had been replaced by the permission to fail and learn. Outside, the city continued to move, but inside, Jack and Jeeny had uncovered something meaningful—that failure, rather than being something to fear, was a necessary part of the path toward success.

Jack: His voice was calm, a quiet contentment in it now: “I think I get it now. It’s not about avoiding failure, it’s about using it. Every failure is just another chance to learn something new, to grow into the person I’m supposed to be.”

Jeeny: Her smile was soft, her voice full of reassurance: “Exactly. And that’s the real power of failure. It’s not the end. It’s the beginning of something new.”

Host: The evening continued, the world outside still, but inside, the conversation had opened up a new way of thinking. Failure, once seen as a barrier, now felt like an essential part of the journey. Jack and Jeeny sat together in the quiet, knowing that the most valuable lessons often came not from success, but from the mistakes we make along the way.