Funny you say that...
In my own circle of friends, I have noticed multiple times how marriages entered shaky grounds over compromises made in the beginning that couldn't be sustained over time.
Something like... She doesn't like BJ's, but that's no biggie, I marry her anyway because I love her... some 10 years later that dislike of hers suddenly becomes an issue. Hubby underestimated his desires, envy kicks in, because other buddies getting them all the time. The cheating for that one reason alone starts. And things with the marriage go down south from that point. I know of several cases that are perfectly described with what I just said..
OT: Nope... A failed proposal does not lead to a break up 9 out of 10 times. That's just silly. Proposals getting turned down for various reasons, and have usually little to nothing to do with the other persons feelings towards the one who proposes. It's often just the wrong timing. A break up due to proposal rejection, that's rather an indicator for the proposer not having spent enough time to get to know the other person enough.
You shouldn't make a proposal something much like a shot in the dark. Get to know your significant other. Learn what she/he thinks. If you do that properly you will eventually know whether they want to marry at all, and if so, where and when the time is right to ask.