--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you don't know your history, you can't…" description: "\"If you don't know your history, you can't know your future.\" — Lenny Henry" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/lenny-henry-4682_future_if-you-don-t-know-your-history-you-can-t_386175.png" --- # If you don't know your history, you can't know your future. ![“If you don't know your history, you can't know your future.” quote by Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/lenny-henry-4682_future_if-you-don-t-know-your-history-you-can-t_386175.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/lenny-henry-4682_future_if-you-don-t-know-your-history-you-can-t_386175.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/lenny-henry-4682_future_if-you-don-t-know-your-history-you-can-t_386175.png) > “If you don't know your history, you can't know your future.” [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding history is essential for shaping an informed future; knowledge of the past guides future decisions. **In simple terms:** Know history to shape future. Key Takeaway Study the past to inform tomorrow. Themes education history future Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - learning - policy making - personal development Key Concepts historical awareness personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What parts of history are most relevant to you? - How can we ensure diverse histories are taught? A Different Perspective History can be biased or incomplete. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Reading history is good for all of us. If you know history, you know that there is no such thing as a self-made man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/reading-history-is-good-for-all-of-us-if-you-know-history-you-know/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Until you know who has lent what to whom, you know nothing whatever of politics, you know nothing whatever of history, you know nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/until-you-know-who-has-lent-what-to-whom-you-know-nothing-whatever-of/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [It seems that writing chose me. I feel that because I know history, and I know the history of so many cultures; I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxine-hong-kingston/it-seems-that-writing-chose-me-i-feel-that-because-i-know-history-and/) [Maxine Hong Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxine-hong-kingston/) > [If you know your history, then you would know where you coming from, then you wouldn't have to ask me, who the heck do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/if-you-know-your-history-then-you-would-know-where-you-coming-from/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [Men make history, but they can never know the history they are making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-j-ellis/men-make-history-but-they-can-never-know-the-history-they-are-making/) [Joseph J. Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-j-ellis/) > [ “Sometimes I feel I don't want to know anything more about \[history\] than I know already. \[...\] Because what's the use of learning that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/sometimes-i-feel-i-don-t-want-to-know-anything-more-about-history/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [Reading history is good for all of us, he says, not surprisingly, perhaps, but his rationale is a fresh, somewhat bracing thought: If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/reading-history-is-good-for-all-of-us-he-says-not-surprisingly/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People who make history know nothing about history. You can see that in the sort of history they make.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/people-who-make-history-know-nothing-about-history-you-can-see-that/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [I believe this generation should know their history and they should know that the struggle's not over yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/i-believe-this-generation-should-know-their-history-and-they-should/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [If you know anything about me and my history, you know I'm very particular about my projects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-dre/if-you-know-anything-about-me-and-my-history-you-know-i-m-very/) [Dr. Dre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-dre/) > [A lot of guys have had a lot of fun joking about Henry Ford because he admitted one time that he didn't know history.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/a-lot-of-guys-have-had-a-lot-of-fun-joking-about-henry-ford-because/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [In the 1960s, the civil rights movement was about getting to know your culture, your history. I know all about my history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afeni-shakur/in-the-1960s-the-civil-rights-movement-was-about-getting-to-know-your/) [Afeni Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afeni-shakur/) > [I know my future cause I know my history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-my-future-cause-i-know-my-history/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't know anything about the history of music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sia-furler/i-don-t-know-anything-about-the-history-of-music/) [Sia Furler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sia-furler/) > [You never know what the future has in store, but if possible I'd like to hang up my boots at Barcelona.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordi-alba/you-never-know-what-the-future-has-in-store-but-if-possible-i-d-like/) [Jordi Alba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordi-alba/) ## More by Lenny Henry > [What a gift it would be if every child in the country could hear a professional orchestra at least once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/what-a-gift-it-would-be-if-every-child-in-the-country-could-hear-a/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [I lament the passing of 'Play for Today,' 'Armchair Theatre,' 'Screen One and Two' and 'Comedy Playhouse' - because these shows gave a platform…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/i-lament-the-passing-of-play-for-today-armchair-theatre-screen-one/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [With every task you think, 'What did I do wrong there? What could I do better?' That's why I've spent my life gravitating towards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/with-every-task-you-think-what-did-i-do-wrong-there-what-could-i-do/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [I think tax breaks for diversity is a good thing. In film now, what happens is you get huge tax breaks if you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/i-think-tax-breaks-for-diversity-is-a-good-thing-in-film-now-what/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [Corden's a comedy powerhouse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/corden-s-a-comedy-powerhouse/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [Samuel Coleridge-Taylor has opened my eyes in many ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/samuel-coleridge-taylor-has-opened-my-eyes-in-many-ways/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [Wouldn't it be great, if there was a one-stop shop where funny people could take their ideas and have them made?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/wouldn-t-it-be-great-if-there-was-a-one-stop-shop-where-funny-people/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [Stand-up's a lottery - you think it's funny but the audience can disagree.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/stand-up-s-a-lottery-you-think-it-s-funny-but-the-audience-can/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [In the 1970s in black and Asian households up and down the country, there's a familiar story that when we saw a non-white person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/in-the-1970s-in-black-and-asian-households-up-and-down-the-country/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [It's about challenging yourself; wanting to do things that push you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/it-s-about-challenging-yourself-wanting-to-do-things-that-push-you/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [My dad never hugged me, never said he was proud of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/my-dad-never-hugged-me-never-said-he-was-proud-of-me/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [That's where depression hits you most - your home life. It doesn't affect your work. I can't do this zany, wacky, funny thing any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/that-s-where-depression-hits-you-most-your-home-life-it-doesn-t/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [A relationship can only work if you work at it. Marriage is the most difficult thing you will do - you've got to really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/a-relationship-can-only-work-if-you-work-at-it-marriage-is-the-most/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [Perfection isn't everything, some mistakes are pretty groovy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/perfection-isn-t-everything-some-mistakes-are-pretty-groovy/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) > [We used to live in a one-room bedsit in Dudley with an Indian family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/we-used-to-live-in-a-one-room-bedsit-in-dudley-with-an-indian-family/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) [Explore all 107 Lenny Henry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) ## More Future quotes > [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [Getting on the cover of TIME guarantees the existence of opposition in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/getting-on-the-cover-of-time-guarantees-the-existence-of-opposition/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you can connect people, you can create the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-heiferman/if-you-can-connect-people-you-can-create-the-future/) [Scott Heiferman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-heiferman/) > [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [“We have no idea, now, of who or what the inhabitants of our future might be. In that sense, we have no future. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/we-have-no-idea-now-of-who-or-what-the-inhabitants-of-our-future/) [William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/) > [“You are destiny for greatness. Your future is in the hands of the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-destiny-for-greatness-your-future-is-in-the-hands-of-the-lord/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I'm just always looking forwards. I spend very little time, looking backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/i-m-just-always-looking-forwards-i-spend-very-little-time-looking/) [Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/) > [Football is my passion, and who knows where I will play in the future - you cannot foresee that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edinson-cavani/football-is-my-passion-and-who-knows-where-i-will-play-in-the-future/) [Edinson Cavani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edinson-cavani/) > [When I was 17, I broke up with my future wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-allen/when-i-was-17-i-broke-up-with-my-future-wife/) [Kris Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-allen/) > [I think everybody in the future has stopped talking to each other and we all just use emojis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarlett-moffatt/i-think-everybody-in-the-future-has-stopped-talking-to-each-other-and/) [Scarlett Moffatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarlett-moffatt/) > [When you continue to dwell on the past, there's no chance for a future. History repeats itself, thus, it's ok to LOOK back at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-continue-to-dwell-on-the-past-there-s-no-chance-for-a-future/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [Starting a new job can be nerve-racking , but it's also exciting. You're embarking on a new future, positioning yourself to write a fresh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adena-friedman/starting-a-new-job-can-be-nerve-racking-but-it-s-also-exciting-you-re/) [Adena Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adena-friedman/) [Browse all 12,349 Future quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you don't know your history, you can't know your future.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lenny Henry" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/if-you-don-t-know-your-history-you-can-t-know-your-future/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Future" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/if-you-don-t-know-your-history-you-can-t-know-your-future/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/lenny-henry-4682_future_if-you-don-t-know-your-history-you-can-t_386175.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/lenny-henry-4682_future_if-you-don-t-know-your-history-you-can-t_386175.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/575/lenny-henry-4682_future_if-you-don-t-know-your-history-you-can-t_386175.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you don't know your history, you can't know your future.” — Lenny Henry", "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": "Lenny Henry", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you don't know your history,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/if-you-don-t-know-your-history-you-can-t-know-your-future/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/if-you-don-t-know-your-history-you-can-t-know-your-future/#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 } } ] } ```