David Heinemeier Hansson

Although perseverance is often celebrated, knowing when to fold and give up on a project is crucial. Distinguishing between a bad plan and insufficient effort is challenging since many disruptive ideas seem foolish at first. This concept applies not only to startups but also to individual projects, work methods, and broader societal policies. Using timeboxing can help provide a clear endpoint, preventing time and effort from being wasted on flawed designs or ideas that are not worth the investment.

When to give up

If your values are bad, give up. But if your values are good, never give up.

Agreed - and proven enough times!

Don’t give up, stand up, reflect, refine your strategy and keep going.

This hits hard—perseverance is valuable, but stubbornness can be costly.
Sometimes, quitting isn’t failure—it’s making room for smarter moves and better ideas. “Knowing when to let go is a skill in itself.”