Shoot for the moon and if you miss you will still be among the

“Shoot for the moon, and if you miss, you will still be among the stars.” — so declared Les Brown, the orator of hope, the voice of perseverance, the teacher of human potential. His words are both simple and eternal, a hymn to courage and faith. Within them lies the ancient truth that one must aim high, not because success is certain, but because greatness is found in the striving itself. The moon stands as the symbol of the impossible — the lofty, radiant goal that seems beyond reach — while the stars are the unexpected blessings that await those who dare to try. In essence, this teaching calls to every dreamer: do not fear to aim beyond your limits, for even in the attempt, you ascend.

Les Brown spoke these words from the well of his own experience. Born in poverty, labeled “educable mentally retarded” as a child, he faced a world that told him he would never rise beyond mediocrity. But within him burned a vision greater than circumstance. Through faith, relentless work, and the power of belief, he transformed his trials into triumph. When he said, “Shoot for the moon,” he was not merely offering comfort; he was commanding the human spirit to rise — to defy doubt, to reach toward the infinite, even knowing that perfection may remain just out of grasp. For it is better to miss a high target than to hit a low one.

The ancients, too, understood this truth. The philosopher Seneca once said, “If one does not know to which port he sails, no wind is favorable.” To aim is to give purpose to the wind of life. To shoot for the moon is to choose one’s destiny, to set the soul in motion toward greatness. Even if the arrow falls short, it will soar farther than if it had never been released. The stars, in this sense, are the milestones of growth — the wisdom, strength, and transformation we earn in the pursuit of our dreams. They are the silent rewards that shine only for those who dared to reach.

History itself bears witness to this truth. Consider the story of Thomas Edison, who sought to bring light into the world. He failed a thousand times before success crowned his effort. When asked about his failures, he replied, “I have not failed. I have just found ten thousand ways that won’t work.” Edison shot for the moon — to harness light itself — and though he missed it a thousand times, each attempt brought him closer to the stars of invention and understanding. His story reminds us that great deeds are born not from success, but from the courage to keep striving despite failure.

In these words of Les Brown, there also lies a quiet defiance of fear. Many souls remain grounded, afraid to launch their dreams because they fear the fall. But the turtle that never leaves the shore will never swim in the ocean. The moon may seem distant, yet the act of reaching transforms the one who reaches. The archer becomes strong not because every shot strikes true, but because every attempt stretches the bow of his spirit. Thus, to shoot for the moon is not to seek only victory, but to embrace the journey itself — to grow, to learn, to rise.

Moreover, the stars symbolize the unexpected glories that await those who dare. One who strives to create may instead inspire others; one who aims for greatness may, in falling short, still kindle a light that burns in generations to come. The dream pursued with faith always bears fruit — though not always in the form imagined. The universe rewards courage in ways unseen, and those who reach for the heavens, even if they fall, do not fall to earth — they fall into the constellation of the noble and the brave.

So, my child, let this teaching take root in your heart: Shoot for the moon. Do not measure your dreams by the safety of their distance, but by the fire they awaken in your soul. Dare to pursue what others call impossible. Work with devotion, fall and rise again, and trust that your striving is not in vain. For even if you miss the mark, you will find yourself among the stars — the bright realm of those who dared to dream, to act, to live greatly.

For in the end, Les Brown’s wisdom is not about success, but about spirit. The true tragedy is not to fail, but never to try. The true defeat is not in missing the moon, but in never looking up. So lift your gaze to the heavens, set your aim high, and let your soul’s arrow fly. For the one who shoots for the moon lives among the stars forever — in light, in legacy, and in the eternal memory of those who reach beyond themselves.