Let's say your goal is to fail when you try to do a particular thing....suddenly, now, you can't fail!    But then wouldn't even that be considered a failure?   
:)

truecritic - i'm worried about u    lol

What about jumping out of a parachute? I mean, how can you say to that person "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

Emily, are you familiar with the list of Abrham Lincoln's failures?

What about people going out for college or pro teams that fail to make the team?

Okay, on a more spiritual note...the more I look at this, the more I keep remembering a story I heard a while ago. I think it was about Cathy Rigby. (but don't quote me!) She said before the Olympics her Mom told her it was more important to be HER best not THE best. Maybe that's what this is saying. If you "TRY" and your effort is sincere, you will never be a failure. It will only be a lesson.

(I still like my parachute comment anyway! )

i didn't say try again    all it says is a certain result was produced.

Here's one list re; Lincoln:

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/education/failures.htm

thanks coin toss.

Em, I saw all those responses and I just had to take a look at this entry...lol. I tell people all the time that they haven't failed until they quit trying. We can always abstract some benefit from any experience even if it's simply the wisdom to keep going and do better next time. If you can't fail at failing, then I'd consider that a success. And if parachuting doesn't work out, it's all academic anyway, isn't it?

'aye - thanks - i can always depend on you for a wise comment.