You know what they say: Hindsight is 20/20. In other words, we tend to look back on things that have happened with far more clarity than we had in the moment.
Hindsight is what we call “learned wisdom” — a mechanism that allows us to glean lessons from just about anything we’ve experienced, whether good or bad. It’s what gives us perspective after a breakup or understanding in the aftermath of a career change. It’s how we begin to piece together a narrative that makes sense of our current situation.
If we’re not careful, though, hindsight can also become a roadblock in our lives going forward. For instance, we might be warier of new acquaintances as a result of falling out with a friend. This sort of hindsight-based distortion can hinder our willingness to remain open to possibilities.
So how do we strike a balance between learning from our past and not allowing our negative experiences too much power? These 13 quotes offer some wisdom on the double-edged sword of hindsight and how best to wield it as we continue navigating the ups and downs of learning and living.
Hindsight is wonderful. It’s always very easy to second-guess after the fact.
If we were able to live at the level of the soul all the time, there would be no need for hindsight to appreciate the great truths of life.
The real trick in life is to turn hindsight into foresight that reveals insight.
Hindsight is illuminating but not always what we want to see.
When I was younger, I made some decisions that I shouldn’t have. And, in hindsight, I’ve almost always been wrong when I haven’t listened to myself.
Art is made in hindsight.
History changes with each tiny event, shaping an outcome that we can only fully grasp in hindsight. And that view changes as we move farther downstream.
I think it is only in hindsight that you can determine whether something is a mistake or not.
The historian is a prophet facing backwards.
Hindsight, usually looked down upon, is probably as valuable as foresight, since it does include a few facts.
But then, I suppose, when with the benefit of hindsight one begins to search one’s past for such “turning points,” one is apt to start seeing them everywhere.
It has been a mistake living my life in the past. One cannot ride a horse backwards and still hold its reins.
It’s so difficult, isn’t it? To see what’s going on when you’re in the absolute middle of something? It’s only with hindsight we can see things for what they are.
Featured Image Credit: Mike Windle/ Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
Joyce Chen
Joyce Chen is a writer, editor, and community builder based in Seattle, Washington.
