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The business of life is to go forward; he who sees evil in…

“The business of life is to go forward; he who sees evil in prospect meets it in his way, and he who catches it by retrospection turns back to find it. That which is feared may sometimes be avoided, but that which is regretted to-day may be regretted again to-morrow.” quote by Samuel Johnson
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“The business of life is to go forward; he who sees evil in prospect meets it in his way, and he who catches it by retrospection turns back to find it. That which is feared may sometimes be avoided, but that which is regretted to-day may be regretted again to-morrow.”

Samuel Johnson

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Life requires moving forward; confronting evil early avoids future regret, while hindsight can cause repeated remorse.

In simple terms: Act early to avoid later regret.

Key Takeaway

Face challenges promptly.

Themes

philosophy ethics future regret

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • career decisions
  • personal dilemmas
  • risk management

Key Concepts

proactive behavior reflection moral choice

Questions to Reflect On

  • What fears hold you back?
  • How can you act without regret?
A Different Perspective

Overthinking can paralyze action.

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