Quote · Added 10 February 2026
One may miss the mark by aiming too high as too low.
Tryon EdwardsA Dictionary of Thoughts, 1891
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AI generatedThe Goal That Actually Breaks You
We usually think about ambition as a one-way problem—you either dream too small or you're lazy. But this quote points to something more subtle: aiming too high can be just as dangerous as aiming too low, in ways we don't always notice until it's too late.
When you set your target impossibly far above your actual capabilities, you're almost guaranteed to fail. And failure from an unrealistic goal feels different than just falling short. It often leads to a strange mix of guilt and resentment. You work yourself ragged, burn out, or worse—you decide the whole thing is pointless and quit entirely. Meanwhile, someone aiming at a reachable-but-stretching target actually hits it, builds momentum, and surprises themselves with what comes next.
The tricky part is that aiming high gets celebrated in our culture. Nobody warns you about it. So you internalize the idea that if your goal isn't scary, it's not worth pursuing. But reality is more practical: the best target is one that requires genuine effort while remaining possible. That's where real growth lives. It's the difference between inspiration that depletes you and ambition that actually feeds your life forward.
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All 2 quotes by Tryon Edwards
Tryon Edwards
1809–1894·lived 85 years
Tryon Edwards was an American theologian and author, known for his works on theology and ethics. He is most famous for his book "A Dictionary of Thoughts," a compilation of quotes and wisdom from various writers and philosophers. Edwards dedicated his life to promoting education and ethical values through his writings and teachings.
Also by Tryon Edwards
If you would thoroughly know anything, teach it to others.
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