better that comes after a series of abortive experiences than
it would have been if it had come at once. For all these
successive failures induce a skill, which is so much
additional power working into the final achievement. Nobody
passes at once to the mastery, in any branch of science or of
industry; and when he does become a master in his work it is
evident, not only in the positive excellence of his
performance, but in the sureness with which he avoids
defects; and these defects he has learned by experimental
failures. The hand that evokes such perfect music from the
instrument has often failed in its touch, and bungled among
the keys. And if a man derives skill from his own failures,
so does he from the failures of other men. Every
unsuccessful attempt is, for him, so much work done; for he
will not go over that ground again, but seek some new way.
Every disappointed effort fences in and indicates the only
possible path of success, and makes it easier to find. We
should thank past ages and other men, not only for what they
have left us of great things done, but for the heritage of
their failures. Every baffled effort for freedom contributes
skill for the next attempt, and ensures the day of victory.
Nations stripped and bound, and waiting for liberty under the
shadow of thrones, cherish in memory not only the
achievements of their heroes, but the defeats of their
martyrs; and when the trumpet-voice shall summon them once
more, as surely it will, --when they shall draw for the
venture of freedom, and unroll its glittering standard to the
winds, -- they will avoid the stumbling blocks which have
sacrificed the brave, and the errors which have postponed
former hopes. In public and in private action, it is true