“Waste is worse than loss. The time is coming when every person who lays claim to ability will keep the question of waste before him constantly.”
— Thomas Edison
Simplified Meaning:
When we talk about waste being worse than loss, it means that using resources poorly or not making the most out of them is more damaging than simply losing them. Imagine you have a garden with a lot of fruits and vegetables. If a storm destroys some of your crops, that's a loss. But if you let your vegetables rot on the vines because you didn't pick them on time, that's waste, and it's more avoidable. In our daily lives, the idea is to be mindful of how we use our time, money, or talents. For example, if you have skills in painting but never practice or create art, you are wasting your talent. However, if you try to paint but the result isn't as good as you hoped, that's just a setback, not a waste. Nowadays, people who want to succeed need to constantly think about how they can avoid waste in their lives. This could mean managing their time better, learning how to budget their money, or honing their skills to avoid letting them go unused. By focusing on preventing waste, people can make sure they are maximizing their potential and achieving more with what they have.