Big mistake Quote by C.S. Lewis
““We all want progress. But progress means getting nearer to the place where you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turning then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man. There is nothing progressive about being pig-headed and refusing to admit a mistake. And I think if you look at the present state of the world it's pretty plain that humanity has been making some big mistake. We're on the wrong road. And if that is so we must go back. Going back is the quickest way on.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown lecture or essay, mid‑20th century
Progress requires moving toward the correct goal; if on a wrong path, the fastest progress is to admit error and turn back.
In simple terms: True progress means correcting direction, not stubbornly persisting.
Key Takeaway
Recognize mistakes early and change course.
Themes
progress
humility
self‑correction
growth
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- political policy
- personal relationships
- environmental actions
Key Concepts
goal alignment
error recognition
adaptive learning
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence shows you’re on the wrong road?
- How can you create a culture that values course correction?
A Different Perspective
Changing direction can be socially costly and may be resisted.
