I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.

I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. ~ Thomas Edison

That means that the person never gave up - just because it didn't work the first time doesn't mean they won't come up with a way that does work. Be persistent - Don't Quit - Don't Guve Up!. It is similar to the quote "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

I have seen the quote written this way: " If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward."
Even the steps that were taken - looking for the one that would work - the ones that didn't work were considered a step forward - a step toward "success"!

Did you know that - "Thomas Edison Tested Over 3000 Filaments Before He Came Up With His Version of a Practical Light Bulb. As Shocking As It May Seem, This Was Not His Greatest Invention." Imagine if he had given up when the first one did not work! His persistence paid off!!!

This is something that clearly states that nothing - poor hearing or only 3 months of formal education: it was this his highly individualistic style of acquiring knowledge that eventually led him to question scores of the prevailing theories on the workings of electricity..... Approaching this complex field like a "lone eagle," he used his kaleidoscopic mind and his legendary memory, dexterity, and patience to perform whatever experiments were necessary to come up with his own related theories... As many of his contemporaries continued to indulge the popular electrical pontifications of the day, he was ever sharpening his now ingrained style of dispassionate and bold analysis.... "I accept almost nothing dealing with electricity without thoroughly testing it first." he often declared. Not surprisingly, by arming his brains with this perspective, he soon established a firm foothold in the world of practical electrical science And of course, at the dawn of the "Age Of Electric Light And Power," nothing could have better served his ultimate destiny in the field of invention...

He never gave up! Here are a couple more quotes that show that he kept trying:
Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. ~ Thomas Edison

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. ~ Thomas Edison

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end. ~ Ernest Hemingway

I think it is both good and accurate. Back in junior high, an older woman suggested we youngsters plan not just to make it into adulthood, but make a life plan that goes all the way up to the day we expected to die, at age 70? 80? 90+? We were told to plan along the way, jobs, marriage(s), kids, houses, retirement, major goals, etc. The reason for doing the project was that not many people planned for their retirement and were left floundering. Of course life happens. I have had to take different side-steps along the way, but I can say that without that foresight, for example, I may not recognize that I am now at my "middle age." I may not have an eye on my future years if not for that suggested plan. It gives you some goals and a bearing or reminder on how you wanted to live your life. For the record, I have accomplished most of my goals and have an eye on what I still want to do after all the kids have left the nest. Not many folks my age are really looking at the back end of their life yet. They're too busy trying to retain their youth. I say let the experiences happen.