Who said “Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a…”?

Verified

Thomas A. Edison. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Diary and Sundry Observations of Thomas Alva Edison (1948), p. 110

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“Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.”
— Thomas A. Edison
VerifiedThe Diary and Sundry Observations of Thomas Alva Edison (1948), p. 110 · evidenceProgress

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Diary and Sundry Observations of Thomas Alva Edison (1948), p. 110.

APA

Edison, T. A. (n.d.). Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34603-restlessness-is-discontent-and-discontent-is-the-first/

MLA

Edison, Thomas A. “Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34603-restlessness-is-discontent-and-discontent-is-the-first/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Edison, Thomas A. “Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/34603-restlessness-is-discontent-and-discontent-is-the-first/.

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More quotes by Thomas A. Edison

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