“It's only those who do nothing that make no mistakes, I suppose.”

—  Joseph Conrad , book An Outcast of the Islands

Source: An Outcast of the Islands (1896), Pt. 3, Ch. 2; possibly an adaptation of a Polish proverb, "Ten się nie myli, kto nic nie robi" — "One is not wrong, who does nothing."

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update Jan. 7, 2024. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "It's only those who do nothing that make no mistakes, I suppose." by Joseph Conrad?
Joseph Conrad photo
Joseph Conrad 127
Polish-British writer 1857–1924

Related quotes

Neil Gaiman photo

“He said nothing: seldom do those who are silent make mistakes.”

Neil Gaiman (1960) English fantasy writer

Source: Norse Mythology (2017), Chapter 4, “Mimir’s Head and Odin’s Eye” (p. 45)

Anthony de Mello photo

“Those who make no mistakes are making the biggest mistakes of all — they are attempting nothing new.”

Anthony de Mello (1931–1987) Indian writer

Source: One Minute Nonsense (1992), p. 20

Ingvar Kamprad photo

“Only while sleeping one makes no mistakes. Making mistakes is the privilege of the active—of those who can correct their mistakes and put them right.”

Ingvar Kamprad (1926–2018) Entrepreneur

"The Testament of a Furniture Dealer" http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/pdf/reports-downloads/the-testament-of-a-furniture-dealer.pdf (1976).

Giacomo Casanova photo

“one who makes no mistakes makes nothing”

Giacomo Casanova (1725–1798) Italian adventurer and author from the Republic of Venice
Mark Z. Danielewski photo

“Make no mistake, those who write long books have nothing to say.
Of course those who write short books have even less to say.”

Mark Z. Danielewski book House of Leaves

Source: House of Leaves

George Bernard Shaw photo

“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.”

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish playwright

Preface
1910s, The Doctor's Dilemma (1911)
Variant: A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
Context: Attention and activity lead to mistakes as well as to successes; but a life spent in making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.

George Bernard Shaw photo

“Attention and activity lead to mistakes as well as to successes; but a life spent in making mistakes is not only more honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.”

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish playwright

Preface
1910s, The Doctor's Dilemma (1911)

Prevale photo

“In life, those who want to be happy make mistakes.”

Prevale (1983) Italian DJ and producer

Original: (it) Nella vita, chi vuole essere felice commette errori.
Source: prevale.net

Edmund Burke photo

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”

Edmund Burke (1729–1797) Anglo-Irish statesman

Not found in Burke's writings. Appears to be a paraphrase of "It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little." sourced to Sydney Smith (1771 - 1845).

Related topics