Who originated the saying: "If at first you don't succeed, try try again." ???

Question

Who came up with this saying?? Me and my buddies were having a little argument as to who invented this really popular saying.

Thanks yahooers!!

Answer 1

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." The origins of this phrase are not entirely clear, having been quoted as far back as 1840 but popularised in Edward Hickson's Moral Song (1857). Whoever originally coined it, most people would agree with its sentiment. Which is why I was surprised that, at a recent meeting on current changes in postgraduate surgical training, a tutor encouraged trainees not successful at surgical selection stages to "go off and do something else."

Background:
This first written record of this proverb can be found in American educator Thomas H Palmer's Teacher's Manual (1840).

"Tis a lesson you should heed, try, try again.


It was popularized in 1857 by Edward Hickson's Moral Song.

Some sources believe that the expression dates back well before this to the time of Robert 1 of Scotland (Robert the Bruce), a 14th century king who, the legend says, suffered a major defeat at the hands of the English and went and hid in a cave near Gretna (close to the border of Scotland and England). While there he watched a spider trying to spin a web. Each time the spider failed, it simply started again. So inspired was Robert by the little arachnid that he left the cave and returned to lead his troops in a series of victories against the English."

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again." --Edward Hickson, "Moral Song"


IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN. Don't give up too easily; persistence pays off in the end. The proverb has been traced back to 'Teacher's Manual' (1840) by American educator Thomas H. Palmer and 'The Children of the New Forest' (1847) by English novelist Frederick Maryat (1792-1848). Originally a maxim used to encourage American schoolchildren to do their homework. Palmer (1782-1861) wrote in his 'Teacher's Manual': 'Tis a lesson you should heed, try, try again. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.' The saying was popularized by Edward Hickson (1803-70) in his 'Moral Song' (1857) and is now applicable to any kind of activity." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings" by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New York, 1996, Page 154)."

I had to try quite a few sites to succeed in finding those.

The adage was slightly altered by Mark Twain:

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then give up. There's no sense being a damn fool about it."

Answer 2

I was taught that it was Robert the Bruce who was hiding in a cave after loosing a battle or two, and was watching a spider failing to spin a web several times before succeeding.

Answer 3

Thomas Edison?

Answer 4

I still think Desinty's Child although it came out light years before them.

Answer 5

I started researching the saying , but couldn't find any info, so I gave up.

Answer 6

All of the above are correct

Answer 7

It wasn't Aaliyah, I'll tell you that much

Answer 8

my grand mom told me " my grand father always talked like this,"

Answer 9

My mother

Answer 10

it was me i did it