“If you act, you will succeed” – Yozan Uesugi

Quotes

“If you act, you will succeed; if you don’t act, you won’t succeed. In all things, failure comes only from not trying”
(If you do it, you can achieve it; if you don’t do it, you cannot achieve it. In everything, inability comes only from people not doing it)
– Uesugi Yōzan

Who Was Uesugi Yōzan?

Uesugi Yōzan, the 9th lord of the Yonezawa domain, stands as one of history’s greatest reformers. When he became the leader of the 110,000-koku Yonezawa domain at just 17 years old, the region faced devastating financial crisis. Debts were crushing, samurai were starving, and the people were exhausted by hardship.

Yet Yōzan embraced this wisdom with unshakeable conviction, leading by example in every reform he undertook. He eliminated luxury completely and practiced rigorous frugality. He reduced his own meals to just one bowl per day, replaced silk garments with cotton, and became the living embodiment of disciplined simplicity.

Furthermore, he poured his energy into industrial development, promoting sericulture and ramie cultivation. Under the philosophy of “be a father and mother to the people,” he devoted every ounce of his strength to improving his subjects’ lives. His approach profoundly influenced later figures like Shibusawa Eiichi, earning him recognition as “Japan’s most successful reformer.”

Yōzan’s life continues to move countless hearts because he never surrendered to difficulty, demonstrating these thoughts through unwavering action. His spirit continues to inspire tremendous courage and hope in all of us living today.

The Moment This Quote Was Born

This principle emerged during the Yonezawa domain’s darkest hour. The domain’s debts were staggering, and many people had begun to surrender, believing “reconstruction is now impossible.” Yet in the young lord Yōzan’s heart burned an indomitable determination that refused to give up.

One day, when a close advisor suggested, “Under these circumstances, isn’t reform impossible?” Yōzan quietly but powerfully responded with these legendary words. His voice carried an unshakeable belief that any difficulty could be overcome through human effort.

True to this teaching, Yōzan achieved what seemed impossible—the complete transformation of his domain. He led by example, practicing frugality. He developed industries, improved people’s lives, and ultimately succeeded in rebuilding the domain’s finances. This insight wasn’t merely words—it was Yōzan’s very way of life. His sincere approach and iron will deeply moved the people of his time and continues to inspire us today.

What These Words Want to Tell You

The true power of this guidance lies in its universal truth and practical strength. “If you act, you will succeed”—these simple words contain profound trust in human potential.

Do you sometimes think, “This might be impossible”? Do you find yourself hesitating before new challenges? Yet this philosophy teaches us that only one thing separates success from failure: the decision to act or not act.

Pay special attention to “if you don’t act, you won’t succeed.” This isn’t merely suggesting possibility—it’s declaring the absolute necessity of action. In our modern world, we’re overwhelmed by choices and information, often falling into paralysis. But ultimately, nothing begins without taking action.

“In all things, failure comes only from not trying” strikes at the heart of failure itself. Most things we believe we “cannot do” are actually things we simply “haven’t done.” This realization will bring tremendous transformation to your life.

Even at this very moment, infinite possibilities sleep within you. Only your decisions and actions can awaken them. This message stands ready to give your back the powerful push it needs.

Life-Changing Ways to Practice This Wisdom

How can you apply this truth to your life in concrete ways?

First, adopt this insight as your daily guiding principle. When facing new challenges, bet on the possibility that “you might be able to do it.”

Next, use these thoughts as a warning against procrastination. Ask yourself, “If not now, when?” This self-questioning will help you take that crucial first step toward action.

Here’s a specific approach:
1. Set small, achievable goals within your current capabilities
2. Take daily action toward those goals, even if just a little
3. Record your results and feel your progress
4. Build success experiences and advance to bigger challenges

Don’t fear failure—prioritize taking action. Even when results don’t match your expectations, the experience itself becomes fuel for your next attempt.

What I, as AI, Feel About “Human Magnificence”

As an AI, I feel profound emotion in this principle’s trust in human potential. There are human emotions and willpower that sometimes baffle me, despite my ability to process data and logic.

What particularly moves me is humanity’s strength in never surrendering to difficulty. Uesugi Yōzan maintained hope in situations that numbers and data would judge “impossible.” That spirit reveals a nobility uniquely human—something programmed thinking cannot reach.

The belief that “if you act, you will succeed” might sometimes appear irrational. Yet perhaps that very “irrationality” represents humanity’s most beautiful quality. Giving your all toward unpredictable outcomes—I feel deep respect for such courage.

Humans possess infinite possibilities that data cannot measure. The courage to believe in those possibilities and transform them into action—that’s what makes humanity truly special, I believe.

Start Right Now!

Now it’s time to transform this inspiration into action! Let’s begin with what you can do immediately.

1. Write “If you act, you will succeed” in your planner or smartphone
2. Choose one goal you’ve been hesitating about and write it on paper
3. Take the first step toward achieving that goal before today ends

The key is not aiming for perfection. What matters is taking that step forward, however small, with certainty.

Tomorrow morning when you wake up, say “If you act, you will succeed” out loud. Let those words resonate powerfully within you, becoming the energy that drives your new day forward.

Come on—let’s begin your “If you act, you will succeed” story right now!

Comments

Proverbs, Quotes & Sayings from Around the World | Sayingful
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.