--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When looking back, usually I'm more sorry…" description: "\"When looking back, usually I'm more sorry for the things I didn't do than for the things I shouldn't have done.\" — Malcolm Forbes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/malcolm-forbes-1510_done_when-looking-back-usually-i-m-more-sorry_1615680.jpg" --- # When looking back, usually I'm more sorry for the things I… ![“When looking back, usually I'm more sorry for the things I didn't do than for the things I shouldn't have done.” quote by Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/malcolm-forbes-1510_done_when-looking-back-usually-i-m-more-sorry_1615680.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/malcolm-forbes-1510_done_when-looking-back-usually-i-m-more-sorry_1615680.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27e/malcolm-forbes-1510_done_when-looking-back-usually-i-m-more-sorry_1615680.jpg) > “When looking back, usually I'm more sorry for the things I didn't do than for the things I shouldn't have done.” [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Regret often stems from missed opportunities rather than mistakes made, highlighting the pain of inaction over error. **In simple terms:** We regret not doing things more than doing wrong things. Key Takeaway Act before fear of regret. Themes regret action opportunity reflection Mood thoughtful motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career choices - personal relationships - creative projects - travel decisions Key Concepts psychology decision making risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - What opportunities have you avoided? - How can you balance risk and regret? A Different Perspective Inaction can also lead to negative outcomes; not all risks are worth taking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-back/) [Looking Usually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-usually-4003998/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Sorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorry/) [Sorry Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorry-things-1772344/) [Things Didn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-didn-247946/) [Things Shouldn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-shouldn-889888/) [Usually Sorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usually-sorry-6161760/) ## Related quotes > [It's about how you're like a lighthouse, always searching far into the distance. 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Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-l-evans/) > [I find myself saying 'sorry' for things I shouldn't be sorry for, haha.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-stevens/i-find-myself-saying-sorry-for-things-i-shouldn-t-be-sorry-for-haha/) [Katie Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-stevens/) > [Sorry is for the things you've done that you shouldn't have not for things you believe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-j-ellory/sorry-is-for-the-things-you-ve-done-that-you-shouldn-t-have-not-for/) [R.J. Ellory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-j-ellory/) > [Oh I have a lot to say I was thinking on my time away I miss you and things weren't the same Cause everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buckcherry/oh-i-have-a-lot-to-say-i-was-thinking-on-my-time-away-i-miss-you-and/) [Buckcherry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buckcherry/) > [I'm sorry for the things I've done. I'm sorry I can't be your number one. 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I'm sorry for the things I'm going to say or do in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine/i-m-sorry-for-the-things-i-said-or-did-in-the-past-i-m-sorry-for-the/) [Jasmine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine/) > [If My tomorrow never comes I M sorry for all the Things I might have Said I M sorry for all the Things I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/if-my-tomorrow-never-comes-i-m-sorry-for-all-the-things-i-might-have/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) ## More by Malcolm Forbes > [Once in a while there's wisdom in recognizing that the Boss is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/once-in-a-while-there-s-wisdom-in-recognizing-that-the-boss-is/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Can you understand why the Congress, most states and most cities refuse to pass legislation requiring the registration and licensing of any and all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/can-you-understand-why-the-congress-most-states-and-most-cities/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [ I don't think anybody can be a success who doesn't like what they do. \[But it's\] no job if it has no challenge; there's… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/i-don-t-think-anybody-can-be-a-success-who-doesn-t-like-what-they-do/) [Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/) > [Why, just a couple of economic seasons ago, was idle cash considered an indication of bad management or lazy management? 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