--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We preferred to imagine ourselves on the…" description: "\"“We preferred to imagine ourselves on the right side of things, including history. We preferred to stand side by side, thinking despising thoughts abou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3f/madeline-ffitch-258792_doing-the-right-thin_we-preferred-to-imagine-ourselves-on-the_2313967.jpg" --- # We preferred to imagine ourselves on the right side of… ![“We preferred to imagine ourselves on the right side of things, including history. We preferred to stand side by side, thinking despising thoughts about people who were long dead and the mistakes that they’d made, instead of thinking despising thoughts about one another and about the mistakes we…” quote by Madeline Ffitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3f/madeline-ffitch-258792_doing-the-right-thin_we-preferred-to-imagine-ourselves-on-the_2313967.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3f/madeline-ffitch-258792_doing-the-right-thin_we-preferred-to-imagine-ourselves-on-the_2313967.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3f/madeline-ffitch-258792_doing-the-right-thin_we-preferred-to-imagine-ourselves-on-the_2313967.jpg) > ““We preferred to imagine ourselves on the right side of things, including history. We preferred to stand side by side, thinking despising thoughts about people who were long dead and the mistakes that they’d made, instead of thinking despising thoughts about one another and about the mistakes we were right now making each moment.”” [Madeline Ffitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-ffitch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on preferring idealized, collective narratives over confronting present mistakes, suggesting a tendency to romanticize the past while neglecting current accountability. **In simple terms:** People often idealize the past and ignore present errors. Key Takeaway Focus on present responsibility. Themes history collective memory self‑deception accountability philosophy of mind Mood reflective thoughtful critical Type philosophical personal narrative When to use this quote - personal journaling - group discussions - educational curricula Key Concepts nostalgia bias ethical reflection mindful awareness Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance past lessons with present actions? - What steps foster accountability now? A Different Perspective The view may dismiss necessary self‑critique. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doing the right thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-the-right-thing/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [History Preferred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-preferred-5507156/) [Instead Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instead-thinking-352399/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Right now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-now/) [Right side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-side/) [Side by side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/side-by-side/) [Stand Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stand-thinking-5507155/) [Thinking Despising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-despising-5507157/) [Thoughts Mistakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts-mistakes-5507158/) ## Related quotes > [You can stand there thinking, 'if only,' or you can go and take charge and change it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-stand-there-thinking-if-only-or-you-can-go-and-take-charge/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Do you want to accomplish something difficult? Then go to the very edge of a cliff and stand there without thinking about the cliff!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/do-you-want-to-accomplish-something-difficult-then-go-to-the-very/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“Instead of thinking that each problem you face is a tragedy, you can use the creative side of your brain—which is likely to benefit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-surman/instead-of-thinking-that-each-problem-you-face-is-a-tragedy-you-can/) [Craig Surman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-surman/) > [Instead of thinking about where you are, think about where you want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-thinking-about-where-you-are-think-about-where-you-want-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [; Instead of thinking what is wrong with everyone else, Why not look at your own shit and figure that train wreck out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-thinking-what-is-wrong-with-everyone-else-why-not-look-at/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I like to think of each Grand Slam as a brand new opportunity instead of thinking about it as something that I have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aryna-sabalenka/i-like-to-think-of-each-grand-slam-as-a-brand-new-opportunity-instead/) [Aryna Sabalenka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aryna-sabalenka/) > [Instead of thinking about what you're missing. Try thinking about what you have that everyone else is missing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-thinking-about-what-you-re-missing-try-thinking-about-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That's what makes life so hard for women, that instead of thinking that this is the way things are, we always think it's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/that-s-what-makes-life-so-hard-for-women-that-instead-of-thinking/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [Instead of thinking about what you are missing think about what you have that everyone else may be missing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-thinking-about-what-you-are-missing-think-about-what-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Instead of thinking about the sex, I'd always think about the clap and the crabs those people have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/instead-of-thinking-about-the-sex-i-d-always-think-about-the-clap-and/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [“In the early days here I used to think all the time: How can I run away? What is my family doing right now?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-sullivan/in-the-early-days-here-i-used-to-think-all-the-time-how-can-i-run/) [Tara Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-sullivan/) > [I do try really hard to listen to what is 'actually' being said to me, instead of thinking about how I 'should' respond while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leah-williamson/i-do-try-really-hard-to-listen-to-what-is-actually-being-said-to-me/) [Leah Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leah-williamson/) > [Instead of thinking that you know the results to every potential chance or opportunity that you pursue in life, believe that whatever you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/instead-of-thinking-that-you-know-the-results-to-every-potential/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [So, what if, instead of thinking about solving you whole life, you just think about adding additional good things. One at a time. Just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainbow-rowell/so-what-if-instead-of-thinking-about-solving-you-whole-life-you-just/) [Rainbow Rowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainbow-rowell/) > [Instead of thinking about other people's thoughts and views of you, just think "I have to do well myself," and you'll be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yesung/instead-of-thinking-about-other-people-s-thoughts-and-views-of-you/) [Yesung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yesung/) ## More Doing the right thing quotes > [Doing the right things is more important than doing things right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ko-wen-je/doing-the-right-things-is-more-important-than-doing-things-right/) [Ko Wen-je](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ko-wen-je/) > [Money will come to you when you are doing the right thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phillips/money-will-come-to-you-when-you-are-doing-the-right-thing/) [Michael Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phillips/) > [It's all about doing the right things at the right times and I believe I can win everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-cross/it-s-all-about-doing-the-right-things-at-the-right-times-and-i/) [Rob Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-cross/) > [You should never be proud of doing the right thing. You should just do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-smith/you-should-never-be-proud-of-doing-the-right-thing-you-should-just-do/) [Dean Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-smith/) > [“Management is about doing things right; leadership is about doing the right things. Peter Drucker”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-banfield/management-is-about-doing-things-right-leadership-is-about-doing-the/) [Richard Banfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-banfield/) > [There are certain things that we can deal with by following the rules. But at times, we find the rules restrict you from doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahathir-mohamad/there-are-certain-things-that-we-can-deal-with-by-following-the-rules/) [Mahathir Mohamad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahathir-mohamad/) > [Never let making a profit stand in the way of doing the right thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-jenkins/never-let-making-a-profit-stand-in-the-way-of-doing-the-right-thing/) [George W. Jenkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-jenkins/) > [“Doing the right thing causes us to stand taller, dance more often, and step into life with more confidence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patsy-clairmont/doing-the-right-thing-causes-us-to-stand-taller-dance-more-often-and/) [Patsy Clairmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patsy-clairmont/) > [“Health, peace of mind, peak performance, and success in any area of life all depend upon doing the right thing at the right time,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tobe-hanson/health-peace-of-mind-peak-performance-and-success-in-any-area-of-life/) [Tobe Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tobe-hanson/) > [Sometimes you have to steer away from the crowd in order to be a better person. It's not always easy, that's for sure. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-elkeles/sometimes-you-have-to-steer-away-from-the-crowd-in-order-to-be-a/) [Simone Elkeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-elkeles/) > [Doing the right thing at all costs is an absolute, and only a sith deals in absolutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-filoni/doing-the-right-thing-at-all-costs-is-an-absolute-and-only-a-sith/) [Dave Filoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-filoni/) > [ \[If\] we can celebrate that in a way that celebrates our love for New England as well as our love for the Italian culture… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-batali/if-we-can-celebrate-that-in-a-way-that-celebrates-our-love-for-new/) [Mario Batali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-batali/) > [“What sort of man could you love for a lifetime?" he asked her. She was silent for a while. He guessed that she was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-balogh/what-sort-of-man-could-you-love-for-a-lifetime-he-asked-her-she-was/) [Mary Balogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-balogh/) > [Sometimes you cannot do anything because the guy in front of you is playing well and he's doing the right things to make you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-wilfried-tsonga/sometimes-you-cannot-do-anything-because-the-guy-in-front-of-you-is/) [Jo-Wilfried Tsonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-wilfried-tsonga/) > [Being trustworthy requires: Doing the right thing. And doing things right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-peppers/being-trustworthy-requires-doing-the-right-thing-and-doing-things/) [Don Peppers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-peppers/) [Browse all 619 Doing the right thing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing-the-right-thing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We preferred to imagine ourselves on the right side of things, including history. We preferred to stand side by side, thinking despising thoughts about people who were long dead and the mistakes that they’d made, instead of thinking despising thoughts about one another and about the mistakes we were right now making each moment.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Madeline Ffitch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-ffitch/we-preferred-to-imagine-ourselves-on-the-right-side-of-things/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Doing the right thing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-ffitch/we-preferred-to-imagine-ourselves-on-the-right-side-of-things/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3f/madeline-ffitch-258792_doing-the-right-thin_we-preferred-to-imagine-ourselves-on-the_2313967.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3f/madeline-ffitch-258792_doing-the-right-thin_we-preferred-to-imagine-ourselves-on-the_2313967.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3f/madeline-ffitch-258792_doing-the-right-thin_we-preferred-to-imagine-ourselves-on-the_2313967.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We preferred to imagine ourselves on the right side of things, including history. We preferred to stand side…” — Madeline Ffitch", "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": "Madeline Ffitch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeline-ffitch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We preferred to imagine ourselves on...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-ffitch/we-preferred-to-imagine-ourselves-on-the-right-side-of-things/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeline-ffitch/we-preferred-to-imagine-ourselves-on-the-right-side-of-things/#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 } } ] } ```