February 16, 2026

"Take risks. Ask big questions. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; if you don't make mistakes, you're not reaching far enough."

David Packard
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Inspirational quote by David Packard

Explanation

This quote is basically a permission slip to stop playing so small. Packard is saying that if everything you do feels safe and tidy, you’re probably staying in your comfort zone instead of actually growing. Big questions and bold moves almost always come with the risk of being wrong, looking silly, or failing a few times. Think about starting a new career, admitting you’re unhappy in a relationship, launching a side project, or even having an honest conversation you’ve been avoiding. Those things feel scary because they matter. Mistakes aren’t proof that you’re not good enough; they’re signs that you’re stretching into new territory. If you never stumble, it might mean you’re not really moving.

About the Author

David Packard (1912–1996) was an American engineer and entrepreneur who co founded Hewlett-Packard (HP) in a Palo Alto garage in 1939, helping to spark what would become Silicon Valley. A Stanford graduate and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, he built HP into a global technology company known for its innovative electronics and its influential, people-centered management style. Packard is remembered both for pioneering modern high tech culture and for his philanthropy, especially in education, conservation, and public policy. His encouragement to “take risks” and “ask big questions” reflects the experimental spirit that defined early HP where trying, failing, and iterating were seen as essential ingredients of meaningful progress.