“When I was a young fellow I was knocked down plenty. I wanted to stay down, but I couldn't. I had to collect the two dollars for winning or go hungry. I had one fight in New York state that lasted twenty rounds. I got $6. But I won the fight. All the time I was getting knocked down, I kept getting up.”
— Jack Dempsey
Simplified Meaning:
When someone is young and trying something difficult, they often face many failures or setbacks. Imagine a person who needs to earn money to survive. Even though they often experience failure or difficulties, they cannot give up because they need that money to eat. For example, think of a boxer who must keep fighting even if they get knocked down repeatedly, because winning the fight means they can get paid. This boxer once had to endure a long and tough match, but despite being exhausted and hurt, they kept standing back up to ultimately win. The lesson here is about persistence and resilience — even when things are extremely tough, if you keep pushing forward and don't give up, you can eventually succeed. This is important for anyone facing challenges, as it encourages them to stay determined and keep trying, no matter how difficult the situation may seem.