To try and fail is not called laziness.
To try and fail is not called laziness.
Meaning in plain English
Trying and failing distinguished from laziness separates an unsuccessful outcome from a lack of effort. The saying resists judging a person only by the result.
Example
A teacher recognises a considered attempt and asks what support would help rather than labelling the learner from the outcome.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
A responsible interpretation also recognises that not attempting a task can have legitimate reasons, including limited capacity or an unsuitable aim. A useful application examines actual effort, support and circumstances without making participation a worth test. An attempt can still need review or repair.
When to use it
Use it to distinguish outcome from effort with constraints respected.
Keep in mind
No laziness diagnosis from nonparticipation or immunity from review after an attempt is established.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
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Supplied reference B; unit 577; PDF page 53; collection label: Assyria/Ethiopia
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