Failure is the Mother of Success - Chinese Calligraphy Wall Scroll

We have many options to create artwork with Failure is the Mother of Success characters on a wall scroll or portrait.


  1. Failure is the Mother of Success

  2. Any success can not compensate for failure in the home

  3. Wisdom from Hard Knocks

  4. Bounce Back / Stage a Comeback

  5. You May Learn from Victory, You Will Learn from Failure

  6. Let Us Try

  7. Experience is the Mother of Wisdom

  8. Failure in Not an Option

  9. Failure is Not an Option

10. Failure is the Origin of Success

11. Learn From Your Predecessors

12. You May Learn from Victory, You Will Learn from Failure

13. No arrogance in victory, No despair in defeat

14. Do not fear being slow, fear standing still

15. Success

16. Failure is a Stepping Stone to Success

17. Take Up a Challenge

18. Each Time You Stumble and Fall, You Gain Experience and Wisdom

19. Wolf


Failure is the Mother of Success

 shī bài shì chéng gōng zhī mǔ
Failure is the Mother of Success Scroll

失败是成功之母 is a Chinese and Korean proverb that means “Every failure that you experience is a chance to learn from it and find success.”

Knowing what does not work is just as important as finding out what does work.


See Also:  Experience is the Mother of Wisdom

Failure is the Mother of Success

 shippai wa seikou no haha
Failure is the Mother of Success Scroll

失敗は成功の母 is a Japanese proverb that means exactly what you think.

Every failure that you experience is a chance to learn from it and find success.

Knowing what does not work is just as important as finding out what does work.


Note: This is the Japanese version of an ancient Chinese proverb.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.


See Also:  Experience is the Mother of Wisdom

Any success can not compensate for failure in the home

 suǒ yǒu de chéng gōng dōu wú fǎ bǔ cháng jiā tíng de shī bài
Any success can not compensate for failure in the home Scroll

所有的成功都無法補償家庭的失敗 is a Chinese proverb that can be translated into English as “No success can compensate for failure in the home.”

Also, the word “home” can be exchanged with “family.”

Wisdom from Hard Knocks

The school of hard knocks

 ái yī quán dé yī zhāo ái shí quán biàn zhū gě
Wisdom from Hard Knocks Scroll

挨一拳得一招挨十拳變諸葛 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as: Receive one blow, [and one] learns a lesson; Receive ten blows, [and one] becomes a great Zhuge [Liang].

You must first understand that a man named Zhuge Liang was one of the great strategists and philosophers in Chinese history. He's known as a man of great wisdom.

Figuratively, this phrase means:
One can learn much from failure or “hard knocks.”

Bounce Back / Stage a Comeback

 dōng shān zài qǐ
Bounce Back / Stage a Comeback Scroll

東山再起 is a Chinese proverb that means “make a comeback” or “resuming after a failure.”

It's sometimes used in terms of losing a job and then getting it back. However, it applies to any kind of comeback after difficulty.

The literal meaning of this Chinese idiom is, “[The] Eastern Mountain Again [will] Rise.”

You May Learn from Victory, You Will Learn from Failure

 bǎi shèng nán lǜ dí sān zhé nǎi liáng yī
You May Learn from Victory, You Will Learn from Failure Scroll

百胜难虑敌三折乃良医 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as: [Even a general who has won a] hundred victories [may be] hard put to see through the enemy's [strategy], [but one who has] broken [his] arm three [times] [will] be a good doctor.

Figuratively, this means: One cannot always depend on past successes to guarantee future success but one can always learn from lessons drawn from failure.


See Also:  Failure - Mother of Success | Experience - Mother of Success | Fall Down 7 Times Get Up 8 | Hard Knocks

Let Us Try

Essayons

 cháng shì
Let Us Try Scroll

嘗試 is a close match for the English phrase “let us try” or the French word “Essayons.”

Essayons Essayons the motto of Combat Engineers in the U.S. Army.

This word can also be translated as “to try” or “to attempt.”

Even if you're not a Combat Engineer, this word should inspire you to attempt to accomplish difficult things. If you don't try, you are certain to fail; if you do try, at least there is a chance of success.

The worst thing is not failure, the worst thing is not trying at all.

Experience is the Mother of Wisdom

 jīng yàn shì zhì huì zhī mǔ
Experience is the Mother of Wisdom Scroll

It's been said that wisdom comes from good judgment, and good judgment comes from experience, while experience comes from a series of times when you used bad judgment.

經驗是智慧之母 is a Chinese proverb that makes the simplest connection between experience and wisdom.


See Also:  Failure is the Mother of Success | Wisdom | Learn From Wisdom

Failure in Not an Option

 shī bài bìng fēi yì zhǒng xuǎn zé
Failure in Not an Option Scroll

失敗並非一種選擇 is probably the best way to say, “Failure is not an option,” in Chinese.

Just don't forget that some ancient Chinese proverbs suggest that failure is a learning opportunity that leads to success or innovation. So don't plan to fail but failure is only a waste if nothing is learned from the failure.


See Also:  Failure is a Stepping Stone to Success | Failure is the Mother of Success

Failure is Not an Option

 shippai wa yurusa remasearimasen
Failure is Not an Option Scroll

失敗は許されません means “failure is not an option,” in Japanese.

This can also be translated as “failure is not allowed/acceptable.”


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Failure is the Origin of Success

 shippai wa seikou no moto
Failure is the Origin of Success Scroll

This Japanese proverb reads, “failure/mistake/blunder/defeat is the origin of success.”

It suggests that failures or defeats are a necessary part of success.

失敗は成功の元 is often translated as “Failure is a stepping stone to success.”


Note: There are a few similar variations of this idiom in Japanese.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.


See Also:  Failure is a Stepping Stone to Success

Learn From Your Predecessors

When the cart in front overturns, be cautious with your own

 qián chē zhī fù hòu chē zhī jiàn
Learn From Your Predecessors Scroll

前車之覆后車之鑒 is a Chinese proverb that suggests looking at the circumstances and toils of those you proceeded before you and learning from their experience.

This more literally means “the cart in front overturns, a warning to the following cart.”

This is figuratively translated as “draw a lesson from the failure of one's predecessor,” “learn from past mistakes,” or compared to the English idiom, “once bitten twice shy.”

Other more-direct translations:
Make the overturning of the chariot in front a warning for the chariot behind.
Learn caution through an unpleasant experience.
The wrecked coach in front should be a warning.
The overturned cart in front serves as a warning to the carts behind.

You May Learn from Victory, You Will Learn from Failure

 katte erumono mo areba makete erumono mo aru
You May Learn from Victory, You Will Learn from Failure Scroll

You may learn when everything goes right but the lessons learned when everything goes wrong are more vivid and lead to long-lasting wisdom.

Another way to look at this: One cannot always depend on past successes to guarantee future success but one can always learn from lessons drawn from failure.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

No arrogance in victory, No despair in defeat

 shèng bù jiāo bài bù něi
No arrogance in victory, No despair in defeat Scroll

勝不驕敗不餒 is a Chinese proverb suggesting you should have no arrogance when you experience a victory and not despair in failure or defeat.

Do not fear being slow, fear standing still

 bú pà màn jiù pà zhàn
Do not fear being slow, fear standing still Scroll

不怕慢就怕站 is a Chinese proverb that translates as: Don't worry about being slow; only worry about standing still.

Figuratively, this means: A slow progress holds some promise but to stand still promises failure.

 chéng gōng
 seikou
Success Scroll

This Chinese and Japanese word for “success” is often used to refer to “career success” but is also used for other successes in life.

It matches the western dictionary definition of “The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted.” And It's also used in this old Chinese proverb: Failure is the Mother of Success which means Failure is the Mother of Success.

Sometimes this word is translated as prosperity, but success, succeed, or successfully are more correct definitions.


See Also:  Prosperity

Failure is a Stepping Stone to Success

 sittpai wa seikou no moto
Failure is a Stepping Stone to Success Scroll

This Japanese proverb literally reads, “failures/mistakes/blunders are the yeast-starter/yeast-mash of success.”

Basically, it suggests that failures are a necessary part of success; Just as bread or beer requires yeast to successfully rise or brew/ferment.


Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

Take Up a Challenge

 aete
Take Up a Challenge Scroll

敢て is a Japanese word that can mean a few things related to the idea of taking up a challenge.

It can be defined as daring (to do something), venturing (often overcoming reluctance), or taking action (even in the face of probable failure). It can also be to take upon oneself or take up a challenge.

Each Time You Stumble and Fall, You Gain Experience and Wisdom

 chī yí qiàn, zhǎng yí zhì
Each Time You Stumble and Fall, You Gain Experience and Wisdom Scroll

吃一塹長一智 is a Chinese proverb that means “Fall into a moat, and you will gain wisdom from the experience.”

It really suggests that the failures, troubles, frustrations, and setbacks that you encounter in your life are actually helping you to find wisdom. Some would also translate this proverb as “Learn from your mistakes” or “Learn from your experience.”

If you are studying Chinese, you will recognize the first character as “eat,” but in this case, it means to “experience” (as used in this proverb, it is suggesting that you have fallen into a moat and/or had a hard time crossing it).
Translated character by character, this whole proverb is, “Experience one moat, gain one wisdom/knowledge.”

Note: This can be pronounced in Korean, but it's not a commonly used phrase.

 láng
 okami
Wolf Scroll

狼 is the character used to represent the elusive animal known as the wolf in both Chinese and Japanese.

If you are a fan of the wolf or the wolf means something special to you, this could make a great addition to your wall.

Do keep in mind, that much like our perception of wolves in the history of western culture, eastern cultures do not have a very positive view of wolves (save the scientific community and animal lovers). The wolf is clearly an animal that is misunderstood or feared the world over.

狼 is seldom used alone in Korean Hanja but is used in a compound word that means utter failure (as in a wolf getting into your chicken pen - or an otherwise ferocious failure). Not a good choice if your audience is Korean.


The following table may be helpful for those studying Chinese or Japanese...

Title CharactersRomaji (Romanized Japanese)Various forms of Romanized Chinese
Failure is the Mother of Success失敗是成功之母
失败是成功之母
shī bài shì chéng gōng zhī mǔ
shi1 bai4 shi4 cheng2 gong1 zhi1 mu3
shi bai shi cheng gong zhi mu
shibaishichenggongzhimu
shih pai shih ch`eng kung chih mu
shih pai shih cheng kung chih mu
Failure is the Mother of Success失敗は成功の母shippai wa seikou no haha
shippaiwaseikounohaha
shipai wa seiko no haha
Any success can not compensate for failure in the home所有的成功都無法補償家庭的失敗
所有的成功都无法补偿家庭的失败
suǒ yǒu de chéng gōng dōu wú fǎ bǔ cháng jiā tíng de shī bài
suo3 you3 de cheng2 gong1 dou1 wu2 fa3 bu3 chang2 jia1 ting2 de shi1 bai4
suo you de cheng gong dou wu fa bu chang jia ting de shi bai
so yu te ch`eng kung tou wu fa pu ch`ang chia t`ing te shih pai
so yu te cheng kung tou wu fa pu chang chia ting te shih pai
Wisdom from Hard Knocks挨一拳得一招挨十拳變諸葛
挨一拳得一招挨十拳变诸葛
ái yī quán dé yī zhāo ái shí quán biàn zhū gě
ai2 yi1 quan2 de2 yi1 zhao1 ai2 shi2 quan2 bian4 zhu1 ge3
ai yi quan de yi zhao ai shi quan bian zhu ge
ai i ch`üan te i chao ai shih ch`üan pien chu ko
ai i chüan te i chao ai shih chüan pien chu ko
Bounce Back
Stage a Comeback
東山再起
东山再起
dōng shān zài qǐ
dong1 shan1 zai4 qi3
dong shan zai qi
dongshanzaiqi
tung shan tsai ch`i
tungshantsaichi
tung shan tsai chi
You May Learn from Victory, You Will Learn from Failure百勝難慮敵三折乃良醫
百胜难虑敌三折乃良医
bǎi shèng nán lǜ dí sān zhé nǎi liáng yī
bai3 sheng4 nan2 lv4 di2 san1 zhe2 nai3 liang2 yi1
bai sheng nan lv di san zhe nai liang yi
pai sheng nan lü ti san che nai liang i
Let Us Try嘗試
尝试
cháng shì
chang2 shi4
chang shi
changshi
ch`ang shih
changshih
chang shih
Experience is the Mother of Wisdom經驗是智慧之母
经验是智慧之母
jīng yàn shì zhì huì zhī mǔ
jing1 yan4 shi4 zhi4 hui4 zhi1 mu3
jing yan shi zhi hui zhi mu
jingyanshizhihuizhimu
ching yen shih chih hui chih mu
Failure in Not an Option失敗並非一種選擇
失败并非一种选择
shī bài bìng fēi yì zhǒng xuǎn zé
shi1 bai4 bing4 fei1 yi4 zhong3 xuan3 ze2
shi bai bing fei yi zhong xuan ze
shih pai ping fei i chung hsüan tse
Failure is Not an Option失敗は許されませんshippai wa yurusa remasearimasen
shipai wa yurusa remasearimasen
Failure is the Origin of Success失敗は成功の元shippai wa seikou no moto
shippaiwaseikounomoto
shipai wa seiko no moto
Learn From Your Predecessors前車之覆后車之鑒
前车之覆后车之鉴
qián chē zhī fù hòu chē zhī jiàn
qian2 che1 zhi1 fu4 hou4 che1 zhi1 jian4
qian che zhi fu hou che zhi jian
ch`ien ch`e chih fu hou ch`e chih chien
chien che chih fu hou che chih chien
You May Learn from Victory, You Will Learn from Failure勝って得るものも有れば負けて得るものも有るkatte erumono mo areba makete erumono mo aru
No arrogance in victory, No despair in defeat勝不驕敗不餒
胜不骄败不馁
shèng bù jiāo bài bù něi
sheng4 bu4 jiao1 bai4 bu4 nei3
sheng bu jiao bai bu nei
shengbujiaobaibunei
sheng pu chiao pai pu nei
shengpuchiaopaipunei
Do not fear being slow, fear standing still不怕慢就怕站bú pà màn jiù pà zhàn
bu2 pa4 man4 jiu4 pa4 zhan4
bu pa man jiu pa zhan
bupamanjiupazhan
pu p`a man chiu p`a chan
pupamanchiupachan
pu pa man chiu pa chan
Success成功seikou / seikochéng gōng
cheng2 gong1
cheng gong
chenggong
ch`eng kung
chengkung
cheng kung
Failure is a Stepping Stone to Success失敗は成功のもとsittpai wa seikou no moto
sittpaiwaseikounomoto
sittpai wa seiko no moto
Take Up a Challenge敢てaete
Each Time You Stumble and Fall, You Gain Experience and Wisdom吃一塹長一智
吃一堑长一智
chī yí qiàn, zhǎng yí zhì
chi1 yi2 qian4 zhang3 yi2 zhi4
chi yi qian zhang yi zhi
chiyiqianzhangyizhi
ch`ih i ch`ien chang i chih
chihichienchangichih
chih i chien chang i chih
Wolfokamiláng / lang2 / lang
In some entries above you will see that characters have different versions above and below a line.
In these cases, the characters above the line are Traditional Chinese, while the ones below are Simplified Chinese.


All of our calligraphy wall scrolls are handmade.

When the calligrapher finishes creating your artwork, it is taken to my art mounting workshop in Beijing where a wall scroll is made by hand from a combination of silk, rice paper, and wood.
After we create your wall scroll, it takes at least two weeks for air mail delivery from Beijing to you.

Allow a few weeks for delivery. Rush service speeds it up by a week or two for $10!

When you select your calligraphy, you'll be taken to another page where you can choose various custom options.


A nice Chinese calligraphy wall scroll

The wall scroll that Sandy is holding in this picture is a "large size"
single-character wall scroll.
We also offer custom wall scrolls in small, medium, and an even-larger jumbo size.

A professional Chinese Calligrapher

Professional calligraphers are getting to be hard to find these days.
Instead of drawing characters by hand, the new generation in China merely type roman letters into their computer keyboards and pick the character that they want from a list that pops up.

There is some fear that true Chinese calligraphy may become a lost art in the coming years. Many art institutes in China are now promoting calligraphy programs in hopes of keeping this unique form of art alive.

Trying to learn Chinese calligrapher - a futile effort

Even with the teachings of a top-ranked calligrapher in China, my calligraphy will never be good enough to sell. I will leave that to the experts.

A high-ranked Chinese master calligrapher that I met in Zhongwei

The same calligrapher who gave me those lessons also attracted a crowd of thousands and a TV crew as he created characters over 6-feet high. He happens to be ranked as one of the top 100 calligraphers in all of China. He is also one of very few that would actually attempt such a feat.