Awareness Quote by John Irving
““What worse awareness is there than to know there would have been a better outcome if you'd never done anything at all?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: A Prayer for Owen Meany, 1989
Regret arises from knowing a better outcome existed but not acting.
In simple terms: Regret from missed better outcomes.
Key Takeaway
Act to avoid future regret.
Themes
regret
choice
counterfactuals
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- personal relationships
- health choices
Key Concepts
decision theory
moral reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- What decisions haunt you?
- How can you reduce future regret?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all regret is avoidable, ignoring uncertainty.
![“JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" [Owen Meany] said crossly. "LOOK AT THOSE WEIRDO TV MIRACLE-WORKERS--THEY'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN MAGIC! BUT THE REAL MIRACLES AREN'T ANYTHING YOU CAN…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70e/john-irving-337_atheists_just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-bet_31804.jpg)
![“In the worldly life, due to maadakta (intoxication of the ego of ‘I am Chandubhai’), one has completely lost awareness of everything about one’s self. Everything in the worldly life is nothing but intoxication. The food is intoxicating, the senses are intoxicating. [Therefore] Go to the one, who…” quote by Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b3/dada-bhagwan-31_absolute_in-the-worldly-life-due-to-maadakta-into_3662.jpg)
