February 25, 2026

"I'd rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed."

Robert Schuller
Did you find this inspiring?
Inspirational quote by Robert Schuller

Explanation

This quote is really about how “safe” can quietly become “stuck.” Schuller’s saying it’s better to go for something that actually matters to you—even if you might fall on your face, than to play it so safe that you never risk anything at all.

Think about staying in a job you hate because it’s comfortable, or never telling someone how you really feel because you’re scared of rejection. You might “succeed” at avoiding pain, but you also avoid possibility. Attempting something great doesn’t have to mean starting a company or writing a book; it can be as simple as having a hard conversation, changing careers, or signing up for that class you’ve always wanted. The point is to choose a life of trying, not just a life of avoiding.

About the Author

Robert H. Schuller (1926–2015) was an American televangelist, pastor, and author best known for founding the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, and hosting the long running TV program Hour of Power. Born to Dutch immigrant farmers in Iowa and ordained in the Reformed Church in America, he built his ministry from a drive in theater pulpit into one of the most watched religious broadcasts in the world. Schuller wrote more than 30 books on faith and positive thinking, popularizing a distinctly optimistic, possibility-focused form of Christianity. His quote about attempting something great, even at the risk of failure, reflects both his own improbable rise from rural poverty and his core message that faith and bold vision matter more than playing it safe.

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