Es ist besser, unvollkommen anzupacken, als perfekt zu zögern.

English translation: It is better to try and fail than to never have tried at all

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Es ist besser, unvollkommen anzupacken, als perfekt zu zögern.
English translation:It is better to try and fail than to never have tried at all
Entered by: Ramey Rieger (X)

11:49 Aug 14, 2018
German to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings / Quote
German term or phrase: Es ist besser, unvollkommen anzupacken, als perfekt zu zögern.
I cannot find the original of this quote by Thomas Edison. Anybody help?

Es ist besser, unvollkommen anzupacken, als perfekt zu zögern.

TYIA
Ventnai
Spain
Local time: 03:36
It is better to try and fail than to never have tried at all
Explanation:
The quote, as far as I know, is not from Thomas Edison but from Sean-Paul Thomas:
"It's better to fail trying than never have tried at all"
Selected response from:

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 03:36
Grading comment
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +6It is better to try and fail than to never have tried at all
Ramey Rieger (X)
3​It's better​ to embrace a challenge imperfectly than to procrastinate with perfection
Michael Martin, MA


Discussion entries: 26





  

Answers


32 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +6
It is better to try and fail than to never have tried at all


Explanation:
The quote, as far as I know, is not from Thomas Edison but from Sean-Paul Thomas:
"It's better to fail trying than never have tried at all"

Ramey Rieger (X)
Germany
Local time: 03:36
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 70

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  writeaway: "It is better to have tried and failed than to have failed to try..." (Mike Dennison) https://cs.nyu.edu/~dodis/quotes.html / ok since it's not Edison anyway and this actually is real English and a real saying, then I too agree
2 hrs
  -> ANOTHER variety! I've found several, but only one that was attributed to someone. Thanks for the link!

agree  Herbmione Granger: Etched into the American psyche, but Edison's version is edit: quite a bit different. https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/National_Treasure_(film)
2 hrs
  -> I doubt it's from Edison, but I've heard this enough growing up - very American (as it once was reputed to be).

agree  Lancashireman: This will do fine
3 hrs
  -> As it has done for centuries. Hope you're well and able Andrew!

agree  Michele Fauble: Not quite the same, but often heard, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good" .
9 hrs
  -> Hi Michele, no sweat, no glory ;-).

agree  Eleanore Strauss: a good interpretation
19 hrs
  -> Let there be light!

agree  Björn Vrooman: I'll agree, but considering the length of the discussion and for future reference, it should be noted that Edison most likely never said what has been attributed to him--by non-ENS, of all people. I'd be interested to know who started this rumor.
1 day 2 hrs
  -> I'm dead certain Edison did NOT say this. It's bastardized, to say the least, but there is little we native speakers can do to stop the slander. Save my Language Foundation!
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3 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
​It's better​ to embrace a challenge imperfectly than to procrastinate with perfection


Explanation:
Didn't find the Edison quote so I just coined my own phrase.

Michael Martin, MA
United States
Local time: 22:36
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 63

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  writeaway: ah yes, a well-known saying, not/the point is that a well-known saying is needed.
9 mins
  -> Not sure what your point is//I take your point. But I am usually more interested in doing new translations than researching existing ones even it means reinventing the wheel
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