> There's an embedded ambiguity in your sentence in that there are two kinds of failure.
Fair enough.
In 2008 somebody asked me if I wanted to try cocaine. I didn’t. He eventually moved on to heroine and his life is now utterly “failed.” in the worst sense. My life is good.
In 2013 somebody told me I need to buy as much bitcoin as I can. I didn’t. That guy is now a billionaire and I’m still an average dude.
Personally I see those two situations as basically the same: decision -> outcome.
There is a continuum of outcomes and the “fail” end could be really catastrophic, for you, your finances, your life, loved ones, possibly even the whole planet in the extreme.
There's an embedded ambiguity in your sentence in that there are two kinds of failure. One is a failure of endeavor where one don't get what one necessarily wants but who has the basics. Two is a catastrophic type failure with some combination of deprivation, insecurity, and health problems as a result.
Most people would agree with your statement when it comes to one. When it comes to two I don't think such a consensus exists.
My interpretation of the disagreement you are replying to is that possibly differing definitions of failure are being used.