---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The discontented believe that their…"
description: "\"The discontented believe that their regrets are about the past.\" — Mason Cooley"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/mason-cooley-92_believe_the-discontented-believe-that-their-regr_2278653.png"
---

#  The discontented believe that their regrets are about the…

![“The discontented believe that their regrets are about the past.” quote by Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/mason-cooley-92_believe_the-discontented-believe-that-their-regr_2278653.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/mason-cooley-92_believe_the-discontented-believe-that-their-regr_2278653.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/mason-cooley-92_believe_the-discontented-believe-that-their-regr_2278653.png)

> “The discontented believe that their regrets are about the past.”

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People focus on past regrets, missing present possibilities.

**In simple terms:** Regrets anchor us to the past.

Key Takeaway

Release past regrets to act now.

Themes

regret past mindset

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal growth
- decision making
- mental health

Key Concepts

psychology self‑reflection

Questions to Reflect On

- What past regret holds you back?
- How can you reframe regret?

A Different Perspective

Dwelling on regrets can hinder progress.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Regrets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-regrets-265982/) [Discontented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discontented/) [Discontented Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discontented-believe-5310072/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Regrets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regrets/) [Regrets Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regrets-past-293070/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [I don't really believe in regrets. All my experiences, even the ones that didn't turn out the way I wanted them to, I firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilmore-girls/i-don-t-really-believe-in-regrets-all-my-experiences-even-the-ones/)

[Gilmore Girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilmore-girls/)

> [There are moments we will never experience again, people who are no longer in our lives that we will never see again, things we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-rowe/there-are-moments-we-will-never-experience-again-people-who-are-no/)

[Rashida Rowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-rowe/)

> [Have no regrets,the past is done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/have-no-regrets-the-past-is-done/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [No room for regrets because the past is done and gone. I've learned it's time that makes you wise and the truth. It's makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-room-for-regrets-because-the-past-is-done-and-gone-i-ve-learned-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I dont really believe in regrets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-newton/i-dont-really-believe-in-regrets/)

[Wayne Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-newton/)

> [I am not a regret type person. I don't believe in regrets. Lots of things you would do differently if you'd do it again,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clint-eastwood/i-am-not-a-regret-type-person-i-don-t-believe-in-regrets-lots-of/)

[Clint Eastwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clint-eastwood/)

> [I only want to be part of movies that I believe in and I have no regrets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dia-mirza/i-only-want-to-be-part-of-movies-that-i-believe-in-and-i-have-no/)

[Dia Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dia-mirza/)

> [I don't really believe in regrets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-newton/i-don-t-really-believe-in-regrets/)

[Wayne Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-newton/)

> [I like challenges and I don't believe in failure. I don't believe in regrets. I believe suffering, failure - all those concepts - are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/i-like-challenges-and-i-don-t-believe-in-failure-i-don-t-believe-in/)

[Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/)

> [I don't believe in regrets. I don't think regrets actually exist. I think regrets are things people make up in their heads. So, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karrine-steffans/i-don-t-believe-in-regrets-i-don-t-think-regrets-actually-exist-i/)

[Karrine Steffans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karrine-steffans/)

> [I don't believe in regrets; I believe your future is in your tomorrows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-travolta/i-don-t-believe-in-regrets-i-believe-your-future-is-in-your-tomorrows/)

[John Travolta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-travolta/)

> [Don't let regrets about the past or worries about the future rob you of your enjoyment of the present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-gumbel/don-t-let-regrets-about-the-past-or-worries-about-the-future-rob-you/)

[Nicky Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-gumbel/)

> [Happiness is in our own hearts. I have no regrets of anything in the past. I'm totally cheerful and happy, and I think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maeve-binchy/happiness-is-in-our-own-hearts-i-have-no-regrets-of-anything-in-the/)

[Maeve Binchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maeve-binchy/)

> [“promised myself I would never cry again for this cause. I would not attend anymore to my guilt, or my regrets about the past.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-t-smith/promised-myself-i-would-never-cry-again-for-this-cause-i-would-not/)

[Phyllis T. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-t-smith/)

> [“Living in present without regrets in the past and fear in the future...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigitte-karey/living-in-present-without-regrets-in-the-past-and-fear-in-the-future/)

[Brigitte Karey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigitte-karey/)

## More by Mason Cooley

> [Nostalgia keeps dissolving the ironic narratives in which I have contained my past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/nostalgia-keeps-dissolving-the-ironic-narratives-in-which-i-have/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [The modernist writers found despair inspirational.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-modernist-writers-found-despair-inspirational/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [Even the most abject have a sense of superiority based on powerful though undefined merits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/even-the-most-abject-have-a-sense-of-superiority-based-on-powerful/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [Money comes to life as it is spent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/money-comes-to-life-as-it-is-spent/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [Even the most fickle are faithful to a few bad habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/even-the-most-fickle-are-faithful-to-a-few-bad-habits/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [Rage is exciting, but leaves me confused and exhausted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/rage-is-exciting-but-leaves-me-confused-and-exhausted/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [Literary tradition is full of lies about poverty-the jolly beggar, the poor but happy milkmaid, the wholesome diet of porridge, etc.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/literary-tradition-is-full-of-lies-about-poverty-the-jolly-beggar-the/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [Experience teaches us, but we scarcely know what.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/experience-teaches-us-but-we-scarcely-know-what/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [The body has a mind of its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-body-has-a-mind-of-its-own/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [In retirement, I look for days off from my days off. Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/in-retirement-i-look-for-days-off-from-my-days-off-mason-cooley/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [My intentions go one way, my desires another. Thus I feel both self-indulgent and deprived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/my-intentions-go-one-way-my-desires-another-thus-i-feel-both-self/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [The Puritan sours his pleasures by disguising them as duties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-puritan-sours-his-pleasures-by-disguising-them-as-duties/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [Unlike the actual, the fictional explains itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/unlike-the-actual-the-fictional-explains-itself/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [Vacations prove that a life of pleasure is overrated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/vacations-prove-that-a-life-of-pleasure-is-overrated/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

> [Outside literature, high-flown sentiments are merely exasperating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/outside-literature-high-flown-sentiments-are-merely-exasperating/)

[Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

[Explore all 1,401 Mason Cooley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/)

## More Believe quotes

> [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/)

[Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/)

> [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/)

[Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/)

> [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/)

[Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/)

> [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/)

[Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/)

> [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/)

[Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/)

> [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/)

[Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/)

> [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/)

[Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/)

> [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/)

[Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/)

> [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/)

[Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/)

> [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/)

[Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/)

> [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/)

[Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/)

> [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/)

[Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/)

> [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/)

[Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/)

> [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/)

[James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/)

> [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/)

[Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/)

[Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The discontented believe that their regrets are about the past.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mason Cooley"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-discontented-believe-that-their-regrets-are-about-the-past/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Believe"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-discontented-believe-that-their-regrets-are-about-the-past/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/mason-cooley-92_believe_the-discontented-believe-that-their-regr_2278653.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/mason-cooley-92_believe_the-discontented-believe-that-their-regr_2278653.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/mason-cooley-92_believe_the-discontented-believe-that-their-regr_2278653.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The discontented believe that their regrets are about the past.” — Mason Cooley",
                "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": "Mason Cooley",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The discontented believe that their regrets...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-discontented-believe-that-their-regrets-are-about-the-past/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/the-discontented-believe-that-their-regrets-are-about-the-past/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
