"If at first you do succeed - try to hide your astonishment"
- Harry Banks
About this Quote
The quote "If at first you do succeed - try to hide your astonishment" by Harry Banks is a witticism that uses the popular adage, "If at first you don't be successful, attempt, attempt once again." This light-hearted twist conveys a sense of humor and humility relating to unforeseen success.
At its core, the quote recommends that success on the first effort is frequently unexpected. It acknowledges an underlying presumption that failure or trouble is the norm when one attempts something new or difficult. This presumption is rooted in the understanding that learning and mastery typically need determination and multiple attempts. When success occurs all of a sudden or easily, it defies the typical story, causing a feeling of surprise or awe.
The advice to "conceal your astonishment" includes a layer of self-awareness and humbleness. It means the idea that, in expert or social settings, revealing too much surprise at one's own success may weaken others' confidence in your capabilities. If you appear too astonished, it might recommend that you didn't totally believe in your capability to succeed, which can be viewed as an absence of self-assurance or readiness. By preserving composure and minimizing surprise, you forecast confidence and skills, strengthening a sense of reliability and capability in the eyes of others.
Additionally, this quote can be interpreted as a commentary on the unpredictability of life. Success may come at unanticipated times and in unexpected ways. It encourages embracing these moments without letting them discourage you from preserving a stable course. By minimizing awe, you allow the focus to remain on the process and preparation that caused success, rather than framing it as simply a stroke of luck.
In summary, Banks' quote encapsulates an amusing yet insightful technique to success and humbleness. It underscores the importance of maintaining composure in the face of unforeseen accomplishments and emphasizes a balanced viewpoint on effort, luck, and result.
"In order to succeed, people need a sense of self-efficacy, to struggle together with resilience to meet the inevitable obstacles and inequities of life"
"I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong"
