Quote of the day by William Faulkner: “Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself”
ETimes March 28, 2026 07:39 AM
William Faulkner was one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th century, known for his powerful storytelling and unique style of writing. He was an author from the Southern part of America, and his works generally revolve around various deep subjects. His writing style was unique because he combined stream-of-consciousness narration with deep storytelling. The style in which he writes forces his readers to think critically and delve deep into the emotional and psychological aspects of his characters.
William Faulkner's contribution to literature earned him the Nobel Prize in Literature . He has written powerful and uniquely artistic pieces of fiction which have become timeless pieces for authors and readers alike. The messages he conveyed through his works, though deep and complex, have always been based on universal truths. The messages he has conveyed through his works revolve around perseverance, ambition and the quest for growth.
The quote, “Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself,” is widely attributed to William Faulkner. It captures his belief that true success lies not in competing with others, but in continuously striving to surpass one’s own limitations.
What this quote conveys
At its core, this quote is emphasizing how important it is to set goals that challenge us and stretch us. Faulkner is saying that it takes courage to dream “higher than you know you can do.” Too often, we hold back on our dreams because we are afraid of failure or because we compare ourselves to others. By dreaming bigger, we unlock potential we might never have realized otherwise.
Another important message in this quote is the concept of self-competition. In today’s world, everything is based on competition. In our jobs, in school, in our social lives, it is all based on how we compare to others. Faulkner is saying that instead of comparing ourselves to others, we need to compete with ourselves. Competing with others can bring us temporary fulfillment, but it also makes us feel insecure and like we are constantly under pressure. By competing with our past selves, we can measure our success by how much better we have become.
The message here is one of simplicity and profundity: growth is a personal journey. By setting our sights higher and working on becoming better individuals, we not only develop strength, confidence, and purpose, but we also avoid the need to shine compared to others in order to succeed.
William Faulkner's quote is one that reminds us to dream big and to measure success by how we improve as individuals. By letting go of the need to compare ourselves to others and focusing on self-improvement we open ourselves up to a journey that is not only fulfilling but also empowering.
