---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We find ways of repeating things until we…"
description: "\"“We find ways of repeating things until we get them right. But that can be dangerous. Especially if we’re trying to fix things we never should have own..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/j-r-ward-148_first-place_we-find-ways-of-repeating-things-until-w_1379936.png"
---

#  We find ways of repeating things until we get them right…

![“We find ways of repeating things until we get them right. But that can be dangerous. Especially if we’re trying to fix things we never should have owned in the first place.” quote by J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/j-r-ward-148_first-place_we-find-ways-of-repeating-things-until-w_1379936.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/j-r-ward-148_first-place_we-find-ways-of-repeating-things-until-w_1379936.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/j-r-ward-148_first-place_we-find-ways-of-repeating-things-until-w_1379936.png)

> ““We find ways of repeating things until we get them right. But that can be dangerous. Especially if we’re trying to fix things we never should have owned in the first place.””

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

## About This Quote

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

Repeating actions until they seem correct can mask deeper flaws, especially when fixing something that shouldn't have been altered.

**In simple terms:** Repeating fixes can hide bigger problems.

Key Takeaway

Question assumptions before fixing.

Themes

caution process mistakes

Mood

reflective concerned

Type

advisory cautionary

When to use this quote

- project management
- software debugging
- personal relationships
- policy reform

Key Concepts

feedback loops ownership risk assessment

Questions to Reflect On

- What are you fixing that you never owned?
- How can you test if a fix is truly needed?

A Different Perspective

Repeating may reinforce errors rather than reveal them.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/)

## Related quotes

> [I don't like repeating things and look out for work that could challenge me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-massey/i-don-t-like-repeating-things-and-look-out-for-work-that-could/)

[Vikrant Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-massey/)

> [“We talked for hours, but we just kept repeating those same things over and over and over.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/we-talked-for-hours-but-we-just-kept-repeating-those-same-things-over/)

[Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/)

> [When I was in my early twenties, my mom started repeating things, asking the same questions, telling the same stories. It was like, 'Oh,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-miller/when-i-was-in-my-early-twenties-my-mom-started-repeating-things/)

[Lauren Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-miller/)

> [See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/see-in-my-line-of-work-you-got-to-keep-repeating-things-over-and-over/)

[George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/)

> [We're repeating the same things all the time; there aren't many new things happening in this life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rokia-traore/we-re-repeating-the-same-things-all-the-time-there-aren-t-many-new/)

[Rokia Traore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rokia-traore/)

> [Alone with our madness and favorite flower We see that there really is nothing left to write about. Or rather, it is necessary to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ashbery/alone-with-our-madness-and-favorite-flower-we-see-that-there-really/)

[John Ashbery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ashbery/)

> [Whether you're 9 or 90, stop trying to fix the things you're bad at, and focus on the things you're good at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/whether-you-re-9-or-90-stop-trying-to-fix-the-things-you-re-bad-at/)

[Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/)

> [Instead of always trying to fix things, realize you deserve better and move on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nightlock/instead-of-always-trying-to-fix-things-realize-you-deserve-better-and/)

[Nightlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nightlock/)

> [I'm done trying to fix things I can't change and dealing with people who won't change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-done-trying-to-fix-things-i-can-t-change-and-dealing-with-people/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [A little too late for trying to fix things now...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-little-too-late-for-trying-to-fix-things-now/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [People, it's not always about trying to fix things that are broken. Sometimes its about challenging yourself to let it go and move on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ricardo-housham/people-it-s-not-always-about-trying-to-fix-things-that-are-broken/)

[Ricardo Housham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ricardo-housham/)

> [“It wasn’t human nature to leave things alone. It was normal for people to try to fix things that didn’t need to be fixed;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-upton/it-wasn-t-human-nature-to-leave-things-alone-it-was-normal-for-people/)

[Tom Upton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-upton/)

> [A very great Memory often forgetteth how much Time is lost by repeating things of no Use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-savile/a-very-great-memory-often-forgetteth-how-much-time-is-lost-by/)

[Jimmy Savile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-savile/)

> [I like mantras and repeating things, like in pop music, where you repeat a line over and over again. It's just so beautiful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-holter/i-like-mantras-and-repeating-things-like-in-pop-music-where-you/)

[Julia Holter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-holter/)

> [I prefer simple things - monotone melodies repeating the same things all the time. Because I think life is like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rokia-traore/i-prefer-simple-things-monotone-melodies-repeating-the-same-things/)

[Rokia Traore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rokia-traore/)

## More by J.R. Ward

> [“If you’ve bullshitted me, angel, I’m going to kill you.” The other male rolled his eyes. “I’m already dead, idiot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/if-you-ve-bullshitted-me-angel-i-m-going-to-kill-you-the-other-male/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [You're getting into some kind of shape, cop." Aw, come on, now." Butch grinned. "Don't let that shower we took go to your head."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/you-re-getting-into-some-kind-of-shape-cop-aw-come-on-now-butch/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer to anyone who was listening, asking please, for God's sake, stop sending him signals that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/closing-his-eyes-he-sent-up-a-prayer-to-anyone-who-was-listening/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [“Knock her dead, my man." "Oh no." Xcor shook his head."That shan't be necessary. This one I like.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/knock-her-dead-my-man-oh-no-xcor-shook-his-head-that-shan-t-be/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [“I’m not strong enough for this,” he whispered in her ear—like he didn’t want anyone to hear that coming out of his mouth. Ever.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/i-m-not-strong-enough-for-this-he-whispered-in-her-ear-like-he-didn-t/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [“Fucking hell. "Did you guys plan that out?" "Yeah, and if you don't fight us"--Hollywood bit down on his grape Tootsie-Pop--"we'll do it again--only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/fucking-hell-did-you-guys-plan-that-out-yeah-and-if-you-don-t-fight/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [“Why ever are you here?“ she whispered, putting her hands to his face. “Because I love you.” In so many ways, that explained nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/why-ever-are-you-here-she-whispered-putting-her-hands-to-his-face/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [Time to the face the music,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/time-to-the-face-the-music/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [“As his ears rang and his heart broke for her, he stayed strong against the gale force she let loose. After all, there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/as-his-ears-rang-and-his-heart-broke-for-her-he-stayed-strong-against/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [Layla brought her arms around herself, no doubt because she was remembering the feel of another, stronger set. "I have wanted to, but he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/layla-brought-her-arms-around-herself-no-doubt-because-she-was/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [“Rehvenge, I’m talking to you more than I speak with my mahmen.” “I thought your mother was dead.” “She is.” “You have a very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/rehvenge-i-m-talking-to-you-more-than-i-speak-with-my-mahmen-i/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [In his fantasy, he kissed his best friend again, pulled back, and… “I love you,” he said into the spray of the shower. “I……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/in-his-fantasy-he-kissed-his-best-friend-again-pulled-back-and-i-love/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [And love … love was worth dying for. Worth living for, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/and-love-love-was-worth-dying-for-worth-living-for-too/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [“He had a weakness, though. All of us do, and those of us who think they do not are not being honest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/he-had-a-weakness-though-all-of-us-do-and-those-of-us-who-think-they/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

> [Because I was, and I remain, utterly and completely and totally…in love with you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/because-i-was-and-i-remain-utterly-and-completely-and-totally-in-love/)

[J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

[Explore all 1,120 J.R. Ward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/)

## More First place quotes

> [“But the process should not be confused with science. When tests are used as selections devices, they're not a neutral tool; they become a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-whyte/but-the-process-should-not-be-confused-with-science-when-tests-are/)

[William H. Whyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-whyte/)

> [The whole concept of stage fright is fascinating. Actors get stage fright, but they wouldn't be on the stage in the first place if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/the-whole-concept-of-stage-fright-is-fascinating-actors-get-stage/)

[Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/)

> [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/)

[J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/)

> [The politician attempts to remedy the evil by increasing the very thing that caused the evil in the first place: legal plunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-politician-attempts-to-remedy-the-evil-by-increasing-the-very/)

[Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/)

> [At times you are going to miss people. When that happens, others have to come to the front and show the calibre that brought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-phelan/at-times-you-are-going-to-miss-people-when-that-happens-others-have/)

[Mike Phelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-phelan/)

> [Im never shocked when people let me down nowadays. I just hate the fact that I put myself in a position to be let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-never-shocked-when-people-let-me-down-nowadays-i-just-hate-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Had a 90's music party with my Glee family tonight. Helped remind me why I got into music in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-salling/had-a-90-s-music-party-with-my-glee-family-tonight-helped-remind-me/)

[Mark Salling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-salling/)

> [“We heard about people who go back to their roots. That is good, but don't get stuck in the root. There is the branch,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/we-heard-about-people-who-go-back-to-their-roots-that-is-good-but-don/)

[Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/)

> [Don't be afraid of failure, be afraid of not trying in the first place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-forleo/don-t-be-afraid-of-failure-be-afraid-of-not-trying-in-the-first-place/)

[Marie Forleo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-forleo/)

> [“If you have the ability and the opportunity to help someone, but you don't do anything just because you're scared or it's inconvenient or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bree-despain/if-you-have-the-ability-and-the-opportunity-to-help-someone-but-you/)

[Bree Despain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bree-despain/)

> [Every penny we spend comes from the taxpayer. We thus owe it to the taxpayer to work as hard managing that money wisely as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-mulvaney/every-penny-we-spend-comes-from-the-taxpayer-we-thus-owe-it-to-the/)

[Mick Mulvaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-mulvaney/)

> [“The traumatized soul finds no rest in conditions of peace. It’s forever questing for violence, for action, for the same combination of factors which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-s-williams/the-traumatized-soul-finds-no-rest-in-conditions-of-peace-it-s/)

[Matthew S. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-s-williams/)

> [When you're 20 you care what everyone thinks, when you're 40 you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you're 60 you realize no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/when-you-re-20-you-care-what-everyone-thinks-when-you-re-40-you-stop/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [Because I'm not, in fact, depressed, Prozac makes me manic and numb - one of the reasons I slice my arm in the first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marya-hornbacher/because-i-m-not-in-fact-depressed-prozac-makes-me-manic-and-numb-one/)

[Marya Hornbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marya-hornbacher/)

> [“The greatest faith is the willingness to ask in the first place, all evidence to the contrary. Faith not just in God, but in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-cronin/the-greatest-faith-is-the-willingness-to-ask-in-the-first-place-all/)

[Justin Cronin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-cronin/)

[Browse all 2,907 First place quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“We find ways of repeating things until we get them right. But that can be dangerous. Especially if we’re trying to fix things we never should have owned in the first place.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "J.R. Ward"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/we-find-ways-of-repeating-things-until-we-get-them-right-but-that-can/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "First place"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/we-find-ways-of-repeating-things-until-we-get-them-right-but-that-can/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/j-r-ward-148_first-place_we-find-ways-of-repeating-things-until-w_1379936.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/j-r-ward-148_first-place_we-find-ways-of-repeating-things-until-w_1379936.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08f/j-r-ward-148_first-place_we-find-ways-of-repeating-things-until-w_1379936.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We find ways of repeating things until we get them right. But that can be dangerous. Especially if we’re…” — J.R. Ward",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "J.R. Ward",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“We find ways of repeating things...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/we-find-ways-of-repeating-things-until-we-get-them-right-but-that-can/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/we-find-ways-of-repeating-things-until-we-get-them-right-but-that-can/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
