Nana korobi, ya oki – the famous Japanese proverb that translates to 'fall down seven times, get up eight' – is a reminder that resilience is not about avoiding failure, but about refusing to let it have the final word. To succeed does not mean to get to your goal in one try, it means to keep trying till you get to your goal. A centuries-old Japanese proverb captures this idea perfectly, and in June 2026, the New York Knicks wrote it into history.
Proverb of the Day
The proverb offers a powerful reminder that success is rarely the result of one dramatic effort. More often, it is the outcome of getting back up, time after time, even when defeat seems certain. Like an athlete who keeps pushing through exhaustion, steady determination can overcome obstacles that may initially appear impossible. The quote highlights a simple truth: lasting achievements are often built through resilience and the refusal to stay down rather than sheer force or talent alone.
Life will knock you down; that is inevitable. Yet over years, decades and a lifetime, those who keep getting back up gradually shape their own destinies, carving paths through obstacles that once seemed insurmountable.
The deeper meaning behind the proverb
The proverb uses this human experience as a metaphor for success and is synonymous to relentlessness, momentum and adaptability. Talent, intelligence and resources can be valuable, but they are often outmatched by determination. People who continue moving forward despite setbacks frequently achieve results that once seemed impossible.
In an age of instant gratification, resilience can feel like an old-fashioned virtue. Social media often highlights overnight success stories, but most achievements happen slowly and quietly. Whether it is preparing for an examination, building a business, improving health or mastering a skill, meaningful progress usually comes from the refusal to give up. Small actions performed consistently can create transformative results over time.
Why this lesson matters today
Many inventors, athletes, artists and entrepreneurs faced repeated failures before succeeding. One of the most powerful modern examples of resilience is the story of the 2026 New York Knicks.
In June 2026, the New York Knicks won their first NBA championship in 53 years. It was not a dominant run; it was a run of comebacks. The Knicks trailed by double digits in all five games of the Finals. In Game 4, they were down by 29 points—the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. In Game 5, they were down by 16 before rallying to win the title. They finished the playoffs 6-2 in games they trailed by double digits, the best such record in NBA history.
Jalen Brunson, the Finals MVP, was the architect of these comebacks. His mindset comes from a simple phrase his parents taught him: 'Never be afraid to fail.'
'I've always told myself and always been taught by my parents, never be afraid to fail,' Brunson said during the Finals. 'You put yourself in those positions when you're in the summertime, when you're envisioning what's going on on the court, when you're by yourself on the court. When those opportunities come about, you're not afraid of that moment 'cause you worked hard enough to where if you do fail, you're gonna learn anyway.'
That is the proverb in action: fall seven times, stand up eight. The Knicks fell behind in every game. They got back up in every game. In the end, they were champions.
The takeaway
The next time a goal feels too difficult or progress seems too slow, remember the proverb. Fall seven times, stand up eight. Strength may create impact, but resilience creates change. Sometimes, the most powerful force in the world is simply refusing to give up.
