The secret of success lies in realising one's mistake

The queenly voice of J. Jayalalithaa, leader, actress, and stateswoman of India, resounds with timeless wisdom when she declares: “The secret of success lies in realising one’s mistake, understanding where one went wrong and taking steps to rectify that mistake.” This is no common counsel, but the distilled truth of a life marked by triumph and trial, ascent and downfall. For in her words we hear the echo of an ancient principle: that the path to greatness is not free from error, but rather paved with it, and that true success is found not in never stumbling, but in rising each time one falls.

To speak of realising one’s mistake is to speak of humility. The proud man, blinded by arrogance, sees no fault in himself; he blames the stars, the world, the hands of others. But the wise know that the first step to victory is to look inward and admit, “Here, I have erred.” This act, though simple in words, is mighty in spirit. For it requires courage to face oneself, to peel back the veil of pride, and to stand before the mirror of truth without flinching. In such humility begins the rebirth of strength.

The next step is understanding where one went wrong. To realise a mistake is not enough, for confession without comprehension leaves the wound festering. One must trace the path back, see the root of the error, and learn the hidden lesson within it. The ancients knew this well: when the farmer’s crop failed, he did not merely curse the heavens; he studied the soil, the water, the seasons, and learned how to plant anew. So too in life, every mistake is a teacher, every failure a guide pointing toward a wiser way.

And then, the final act of transformation: taking steps to rectify. For acknowledgement without action is like a lamp unlit—it holds the potential of light but leaves the room in darkness. To rectify is to move forward with intention, to change one’s course, to redeem the error with action. This is where growth becomes visible, and where the soul forges resilience. In this, Jayalalithaa herself lived her teaching. Though she faced political storms, accusations, and defeats, she continually returned, learned from her struggles, and reclaimed her place in the hearts of millions. Her life was proof that mistakes do not end a journey—they strengthen it, if one dares to correct them.

History too offers its testimony. Recall the story of Thomas Edison, who sought to bring light to the world with his electric lamp. He failed not once, not a hundred times, but more than a thousand. Yet each failure was not a death, but a teacher. When asked about these countless mistakes, Edison replied that he had not failed—he had merely found a thousand ways that did not work. And in time, because he learned and corrected, he brought forth the light that banished the darkness of night from human dwellings. This is the power of acknowledging, understanding, and rectifying.

The lesson for us, then, is clear: do not fear mistakes, but fear only the refusal to learn from them. To live is to err, but to grow is to transform error into wisdom. When you stumble, rise. When you fail, reflect. When you are wrong, correct yourself swiftly and with determination. Let no pride chain you to your errors; let humility and courage free you to change. In this lies the true secret of success.

Practically, this means: keep a journal of your actions and reflect on them honestly. When failure strikes, ask not “Who is to blame?” but “What can I learn?” Seek counsel from the wise, for others may see what you cannot. And once you see your error, act without delay to amend it—apologize if you must, change your course if you must, rebuild what was broken if you must. In such actions you will not only rise, but rise stronger.

So let this wisdom pass to the generations: success is not perfection, but correction. It is not the absence of mistakes, but the mastery of them. Those who deny their faults will be consumed by them; those who embrace their faults and rectify them will be crowned by them. Walk, therefore, not in fear of error, but in faith that every error, rightly faced, is a step toward greatness.