Success is merely failure with a better publicist.

In this demotivational quote, success is likened to failure dressed up by a skilful publicist. The implication is that what we often admire as success is just failure spun positively to look appealing.

The humour lies in the realisation that the glittering image of success might just be an illusion created by clever presentation. It serves as a reminder that the line between success and failure is thin, and much of what is termed success might simply be failure's twin with better marketing.