Julian Bell

Dr. Hall
English 4 AP
Failure: A moral dilemma
Through life experience, it has been discovered that often times even the greatest failures
produce immeasurable success later. Failure teaches one the principle of perseverance along
with other intangible characteristics that consequently improve their overall quality of life. From
a personal standpoint, disappointments have created a focus on the idea that that there are more
important principles and mannerisms that one should learn and adopt that perhaps; exceed the
parameters of the physical world.

Perhaps when one simply begins to practice essential

intangible values in their daily lives instead of focusing on solely achieving a desired physical
goal, they can experience life from a freshly vibrant perspective. Failure however, does not have
to manifest in physical results but can also be experienced in the lack of character traits that are
vital to living life in the most meaningful, productive manner possible. In other words, failure
produces essential characteristics such as humility. From a personal standpoint, a moral failure
was experienced in a futile quest to acquire success and external possessions for the sake of
personal gain and popularity. Narcissism was a serious issue. Nearly every idea or goal that
entered into the mind had some self- promoting end attached to it. This philosophy seemed
prominent at the time, especially when grades were the highest, likability amongst others was at
its best, and the state of mind was that of contentment. However, what was to be done when by
some unknown force, some strange phenomenon, when all seemed better than it ever could be,
failure crept around the corner and wiped away every single external accomplishment that had
ever been achieved? Then, depression became a close companion and surely aiming to achieve
more and to acquire success had to be the solution. If more was somehow accomplished despite

the difficult situation, surely this would erase every ounce of depression from the spirit. But, this
was not the solution. No matter how much was achieved, an obstacle would always surface and
find a way to induce failure and ultimately threaten every accomplishment that was prided upon.
Eventually, after venturing on the cycle of endless dissatisfaction and ungratefulness in pursuing
more and more for personal gain, and failing time and time again, it was time for a change.
Until then, hopelessness and frustration had become the greatest of companions. It just could not
be fathomed how someone who works so hard, who is so diligent and prepared, so determined,
can still fail while others who had put in half of the time and effort, seem to succeed in the most
prominent ways. This was when the lesson began to surface: Self- serving goals are endless
obsessions that ultimately lead one nowhere but to frustration and narcissism. Perhaps the
approach to life had been wrong all along. Perhaps, in trying to achieve monumental success,
failure had become inevitable. Could it be that perhaps what was being sought after was not as
nearly important as a fellows reason for doing so? Initially pondering these thoughts was met
with much skepticism, but the desperate nature of the situation catalyzed the learning process.
At some point, the small practices of selfless acts led to daily habits of concentrating on the
emotions and needs of others. So much unexpected satisfaction occurred when the needs of
others were put before personal issues. This newfound pleasure created a deep desire to serve
others and to maintain their greatest interests in mind. From this point on, each goal that was
conceived always had the interests and consequential benefits of others in mind. In this sense,
moral failure taught a formerly self- centered person like myself how to care for others in ways
that would produce everlasting impressions on their lives as well as my own. Perhaps failure
does serve a purpose after all if one chooses to see past the apparent humiliation and
disappointment.