Before success comes in any man's life, he's sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failure... — Napoleon Hill

Before success comes in any man's life, he's sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That's exactly what the majority of men do.

Author: Napoleon Hill

Insight: Most of us know intellectually that failure is part of growth, but we rarely talk about the actual moment when it happens—that hollow feeling when something doesn't work out and your brain immediately offers you a perfect escape hatch. In that instant, quitting feels like the smartest move because it stops the discomfort right away. The weird part? Hill is right that this is also the most logical response if you're only thinking about today. You've failed, so clearly something's wrong with your approach, your timing, or you. Might as well move on. But here's what makes this quote stick: the people who don't quit aren't being more logical—they're being stubborn about the narrative. They've already decided the failure is temporary data, not a verdict. The majority of people rewrite the story as "I'm not cut out for this," when really they're just at the point where most people fold. It's not about having thicker skin or being tougher. It's about recognizing that the moment right after defeat is when your brain lies to you most convincingly, and that's precisely when your decision matters most.

Source: Think and Grow Rich, 1937