John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, is widely credited with the saying, “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly and leave a lasting mark on the world around them.” But the attribution and exact wording are uncertain: no reliably identified Kennedy speech or writing is known as its source. The quote also circulates in shorter forms, including “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly,” and a similar line—“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly”—is commonly attributed to his brother Robert F. Kennedy. These overlapping versions make a firm attribution difficult.
The message is clear even when its provenance is not: meaningful accomplishments often require risks, and risk brings the possibility of failure. The quote asks us not to treat a setback as proof that an attempt was foolish or pointless. Trying something ambitious can teach us, open paths we could not see before, or inspire others—even if the first effort falls short. Its reference to leaving a mark extends the idea beyond personal success: bold action may have consequences that reach a community or the wider world. That is why the saying continues to resonate with people facing uncertain choices. It offers encouragement without promising an easy win, reminding us that the possibility of failure is part of the cost of attempting something consequential.