proverb · Words worth keeping
A man's walking is a succession of falls.
A man's walking is a succession of falls.
In print by 1893 AD · industrial
Recorded in a printed collection by this date; the original date of these words is still unknown.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Progress is pictured as a sequence of movements through temporary instability. The image can encourage a person to see adjustment as part of moving forward, without celebrating harmful mistakes or claiming that every setback is necessary.
What the words are saying
Walking becomes a succession of falls in this striking description. Read figuratively, forward movement involves leaving a settled position and repeatedly finding support again. The proverb can make room for revision during a task rather than demanding perfect balance at every instant. It is an image about movement, not a scientific account of how bodies walk. An application should distinguish a manageable adjustment from a danger that deserves prevention. Some mistakes can be avoided, and repeated failure may call for a different approach. The useful thought is that imperfect movement can still be movement, provided someone attends to what happens next.
Everyday example
A writer revises a rough paragraph several times before its argument becomes clear.
When to use it
Use it to discuss adjustment during a developing task.
What it does not mean
The metaphor does not justify avoidable harm or endless repetition of a failing approach.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional proverb
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- In print by 1893 AD · industrial
In print by 1893: recorded in Dictionary of Quotations (1893). Collection publication is an upper bound for this wording, not its earliest origin, composition date or the author's lifetime.
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- Dictionary of Quotations (1893) (1893 AD)
Printed citation: Pr. · page_013
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.