Who said “Not failure, but low aim, is crime.”?

Verified

James Russell Lowell. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"For an Autograph" (1868), p. 48

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "For an Autograph" (1868), p. 48.

APA

Lowell, J. R. (n.d.). Not failure, but low aim, is crime. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12101-not-failure-but-low-aim-is-crime/

MLA

Lowell, James Russell. “Not failure, but low aim, is crime.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12101-not-failure-but-low-aim-is-crime/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Lowell, James Russell. “Not failure, but low aim, is crime.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12101-not-failure-but-low-aim-is-crime/.