What isn't tried won't work.

The line is a compact reminder that effectiveness depends on action: an idea, plan, or remedy cannot be judged—let alone succeed—unless it is attempted. It pushes back against perfectionism and fear of failure by reframing “trying” as the minimum condition for any positive outcome. The aphorism also implies an empirical, experimental mindset: progress comes from testing, iterating, and learning from results rather than waiting for certainty. In practical terms, it encourages initiative and calculated risk, suggesting that inaction guarantees nonperformance, while effort at least creates the possibility of improvement or success.