"If at first you don't succeed, try to hide your astonishment"

The expectation of success on a first attempt is common, bred by optimism, experience, or pressure. Failure, when it arrives uninvited, can jolt the confident and the cautious alike. Harry F. Banks’s witticism draws humor from this universal human experience, highlighting not just the inevitability of failure, but also the psychological interplay between self-perception and public image.

Astonishment at failure often stems from our natural tendency to overestimate our abilities or underestimate the challenges ahead. When surprise registers on one’s face after a failed attempt, it betrays a sense of unexpected vulnerability. The suggestion to hide this astonishment points to an underlying social game, one where the appearance of composure and confidence is as valuable as the actual skill in play. To outwardly mask surprise is to project poise, resilience, and adaptability, qualities respected and even admired in both professional and personal realms.

This clever twist on the conventional advice of persistence recognizes another human response beyond merely trying again: the reflex to protect one’s ego or reputation. Failing with apparent grace, or with a neutral expression, can diffuse embarrassment and turn attention away from the misstep. It turns the moment from a personal defeat into a performance of courage, showing others that setbacks are approached with equanimity. The humor also softens the blow, reminding us that everyone stumbles and that the best remedy often includes laughter and maintaining dignity.

The statement lightly critiques both our fragile ego and society’s keen eye for failure. It gently mocks the tendency to be shocked by defeat, while at the same time offering subtle advice: persistence is key, but so is the ability to keep one’s composure amid setbacks. Ultimately, this approach encourages resilience, humility, and the ability to face difficulty with both determination and good humor.