Whenever I've had success, I never learn from it. Success

Hear the words of Moby, who declared with humility and clarity: “Whenever I’ve had success, I never learn from it. Success usually breeds a degree of hubris. When you fail, that’s when you learn.” This is no idle reflection, but the distilled wisdom of a soul who has walked through triumph and ruin, who has tasted the sweetness of applause and the bitterness of defeat. In these words lies a truth as ancient as time itself: that victory, though intoxicating, often blinds us, while failure sharpens our vision and teaches us the ways of endurance.

The ancients too sang of this paradox. The Greeks told the tale of Icarus, who soared on wings of wax and feathers. His ascent was dazzling, his flight a symbol of daring. Yet in his success, he grew proud and flew too close to the sun. His fall became his lesson, though it came too late. From this myth, we are reminded that triumph can intoxicate the mind, filling it with hubris, while defeat carries the seeds of wisdom—if only we have the courage to examine it.

Moby’s confession speaks of the deceptive nature of success. When men triumph, they are often lulled into thinking their path is perfect, their choices unquestionable. But this comfort is dangerous, for it makes us stagnant. By contrast, failure wounds us, yes—but in the sting of that wound we find growth. It forces us to question, to adapt, to change. Thus, what feels like ruin is often the forge of wisdom.

History is filled with examples. Consider Abraham Lincoln, who endured countless defeats before becoming one of the greatest leaders of his time. He failed in business, lost elections, and suffered ridicule. Yet each defeat became a stepping stone, teaching him humility, patience, and resilience. Had he only known victory, he might have grown proud and shallow; but through failure, he learned the depth of leadership. His greatness was carved not by success, but by the wisdom gained in loss.

Another tale may be told of Thomas Edison, who famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found ten thousand ways that won’t work.” Each failure taught him something that success never could. When at last the lightbulb burned bright, it was not simply an invention—it was the culmination of thousands of lessons, etched into his mind by defeat. Like Moby, Edison knew that failure was not his enemy, but his greatest teacher.

The lesson here is plain: do not despise failure, nor place too much trust in success. Success is fleeting and often clouds the mind with arrogance, while failure humbles and strengthens. The man who fails and rises again is wiser than the one who triumphs easily and believes himself invincible. To stumble is not the end; it is the beginning of transformation.

Practical wisdom follows: when you find success, rejoice, but remain humble. Do not let hubris blind you to the work that lies ahead. When you fail, grieve if you must, but look deeply into the ashes of defeat, for there lie the seeds of wisdom. Ask yourself: What can this teach me? How can I grow? Keep a journal of your failures and the lessons they offer, and you will find that each one, painful though it may be, is a stepping stone toward greatness.

So let the words of Moby endure: “When you fail, that’s when you learn.” They are not merely the musings of a musician, but the eternal law of growth. Children of tomorrow, do not fear failure. Embrace it, study it, and rise from it, for in its fire you will find the wisdom that triumph alone can never give. And above all, guard your heart in success, lest hubris lead you to a fall from which no lesson can be drawn.