proverb · Words worth keeping
Even champions make mistakes - there is no one who doesn’t.
Even champions make mistakes - there is no one who doesn’t.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Champions also making mistakes denies that achievement makes a person infallible. It normalises the possibility of error even in skilled performance.
Example
A skilled practitioner welcomes review of a particular decision instead of relying only on reputation.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
No one makes the statement broad rather than a measured count of every person’s record. A useful interpretation can support review and learning without excusing negligence or treating errors as unimportant. Expertise still has value; the point is that it should not replace evidence or accountability.
When to use it
Use it to discuss fallibility with expertise and responsibility both retained.
Keep in mind
No error is excused solely by common fallibility, and skill is not therefore worthless.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown