Regret Quote by Ken Bruen
““It’s always the same. When you come out of it and take a look around, the sight of wounds that you have left on the people who care for you makes you wince more than those you have inflicted on yourself. Though I am devoid of regret or remorse for almost anything I have done, if there is a corner for these feelings then it lies with that awareness. It should be enough to stop you from ever going back down there, but it seldom is. Anthony Loyd, My War Gone By, I Miss It So.””
About This Quote
Source Book: My War Gone By, I Miss It So, by Anthony Loyd, 2015
Seeing the pain we cause loved ones often hurts more than our own injuries, revealing a deeper moral awareness that can deter future harm.
In simple terms: Hurting others feels worse than hurting yourself, prompting self‑reflection.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the impact of your actions on loved ones.
Themes
guilt
empathy
self‑awareness
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- conflict resolution
- leadership
- rehabilitation
Key Concepts
moral responsibility
psychological insight
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance self‑compassion with responsibility to others?
- What steps can you take to repair relational damage?
A Different Perspective
Awareness alone may not prevent relapse without concrete change.
![“The critical question about regret is whether experience led to growth and new learning. Some people seem to keep on making the same mistakes, while others at least make new ones. Regret and remorse can be either paralyzing or inspiring. [p. 199]” quote by Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/72f/mary-catherine-bateson-11582_critical_the-critical-question-about-regret-is-wh_20978.jpg)
![“The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before going in with [Larry] Holmes. That would have made all the difference.” quote by Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d63/gerry-cooney-20863_bigs_the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-m_1534.jpg)
