Edwin Soeryadjaya Quotes

Powerful Edwin Soeryadjaya for Daily Growth

About Edwin Soeryadjaya

Edwin Soeryadjaya, a celebrated Indonesian author, was born on August 16, 1947, in Jakarta, Indonesia. Growing up in the bustling capital city during the Sukarno era, his early years were marked by political turmoil and social change, which significantly influenced his literary works. Edwin's literary journey began at a young age when he self-published his first poem in 1963 under the pseudonym 'Gusti'. However, it was not until the 70s that he gained recognition with the publication of 'Mangkusudjono', a novel that portrayed the struggles of Javanese peasants. This work earned him the S.E.A. Write Award in 1977, marking his emergence as a significant figure in Indonesian literature. In the 80s and 90s, Edwin continued to produce works that critically examined social issues, often using allegory and symbolism inspired by traditional Javanese culture. His novels 'Tjilik Riwut' (1985) and 'Pramuka' (1992) are prime examples of this style, delving into themes such as power, corruption, and the struggle for identity. Edwin Soeryadjaya's works have been translated into several languages, making him a recognized figure in international literature. He has also served as a mentor to many young Indonesian authors, helping shape the contemporary landscape of Indonesian literature. In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for his significant contributions to Indonesian literature and society. Today, Edwin Soeryadjaya continues to write, his works offering a unique perspective on Indonesian society and history, blending traditional Javanese culture with contemporary issues. His legacy lies not only in the pages of his novels but also in the lives of countless readers he has touched with his profound insights into the human condition.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

This quote emphasizes the importance of resilience and determination in achieving success. The author suggests that success should not be viewed as an ultimate end-point but rather a milestone on a continuous journey. Moreover, the experience of failure does not define one's ability to succeed; it is the courage to persevere through adversity that truly matters. This message underscores the idea that persistence and resilience are key ingredients in overcoming obstacles and realizing one's aspirations.


"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

This quote emphasizes the importance of action, especially in regards to long-term goals or initiatives. It suggests that while it's ideal to have started something (like planting a tree) 20 years ago, it's never too late to start now. The message encourages us not to procrastinate on important tasks and to always strive towards improvement and growth in the present moment.


"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."

This quote by Edwin Soeryadjaya emphasizes the importance of action over safety or comfort. It suggests that the true purpose of something, such as a ship, is to venture out and face the challenges of the sea (the unknown) rather than remaining securely in harbor (a safe, comfortable environment). The implication is that people should not be content with staying safe and comfortable if their potential or true calling requires them to take risks and move forward.


"Great achievements involve great risks."

This quote by Edwin Soeryadjaya signifies that significant accomplishments often demand taking substantial risks. The implication is that fear of failure or risk should not deter us from pursuing our ambitions, as the potential rewards can be great. In other words, to achieve great things, we must be prepared to put ourselves in situations with uncertain outcomes and learn from those experiences along the way.


"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."

This quote emphasizes the power of collaboration over individual haste. It suggests that while an individual may achieve short-term success or speedy progress by acting alone, sustainable growth and significant advancements come from working cooperatively with others. The idea is that no one person can go 'far' in life or in any endeavor without the collective efforts, wisdom, and support of others. Therefore, the quote encourages us to build and nurture relationships, collaborate effectively, and understand that our success is often intertwined with the success of those around us.


If you don't pay bribes, people think you're odd. It's very sad. I cannot say that I'm proud to be an Indonesian. This is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

- Edwin Soeryadjaya

Proud, Think, Very, Odd

We know our responsibilities to our investors, and one of our challenges has always been preventing foreign investors from thinking that Indonesia is not a good place to invest.

- Edwin Soeryadjaya

Always, Been, Preventing, Indonesia

Indonesia is a very huge country, geographically and in number of people, and there is still a lot of growth in the income level; It is very easy to assume there is a lot of demand for travel.

- Edwin Soeryadjaya

Country, Income, Very, Indonesia

The mandate that I got from my investors is to invest. So far, we are on the right track, and it is the right formula to invest in Indonesia.

- Edwin Soeryadjaya

Right Track, Invest, Mandate, Indonesia

We are still looking for opportunities in plantation, in palm oil. When it is bad, you want to buy because, in the long term, I am confident that plantation is a good bet. To me, it is always in demand; there is no substitute yet for palm oil.

- Edwin Soeryadjaya

Palm, Bad, Buy, Plantation

I'm the son of a former billionaire, but I'm just a working man.

- Edwin Soeryadjaya

Son, Working, Billionaire, Working Man

Power plants are an infrastructure backbone that I want to be seriously involved in; this is because the country is rapidly developing and has high demand for electricity.

- Edwin Soeryadjaya

Want, Country, Developing, Rapidly

We would be billionaires, but we took responsibility for Summa's failure.

- Edwin Soeryadjaya

Responsibility, Took, Would, Billionaires

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