--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The saying goes that history repeats…" description: "\"“The saying goes that history repeats itself; personal histories do the same. We can gather the lessons of others’ lives through observation, conversat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2af/sheena-iyengar-2596_advice_the-saying-goes-that-history-repeats-its_2176360.png" --- # The saying goes that history repeats itself; personal… ![“The saying goes that history repeats itself; personal histories do the same. We can gather the lessons of others’ lives through observation, conversation, and by seeking advice. We can use the automatic system to find out who the happy people are, and the reflective system to evaluate how they got…” quote by Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2af/sheena-iyengar-2596_advice_the-saying-goes-that-history-repeats-its_2176360.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2af/sheena-iyengar-2596_advice_the-saying-goes-that-history-repeats-its_2176360.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2af/sheena-iyengar-2596_advice_the-saying-goes-that-history-repeats-its_2176360.png) > ““The saying goes that history repeats itself; personal histories do the same. We can gather the lessons of others’ lives through observation, conversation, and by seeking advice. We can use the automatic system to find out who the happy people are, and the reflective system to evaluate how they got to be that way. Pursuing happiness need not be a lonely endeavor. In fact, throwing in our lot with others may be a very good way of coping with the disappointments of choice.”” [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning from others' experiences helps us navigate choices and find happiness together rather than alone. **In simple terms:** Observe and talk to others to learn how they achieve happiness. Key Takeaway Seek advice and community for better decisions. Themes happiness choice community learning Mood reflective encouraging Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - relationship building - mental health support - personal development Key Concepts social learning decision making well‑being Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance others' advice with your own values? - What community resources help you cope with disappointment? A Different Perspective Advice may not apply universally; personal context matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Automatic Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/automatic-happy-4681580/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Coping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coping/) [Disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointment/) [Endeavor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endeavor/) [Evaluate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evaluate/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Good way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-way/) [Happiness Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness-need-905297/) [Happy people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happy-people/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [History Repeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-repeats/) [History repeats itself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-repeats-itself/) [Lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lessons/) [Lonely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lonely/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Observation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/observation/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Personal Histories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-histories-483006/) [Personal history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-history/) [Pursuing happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuing-happiness/) [Repeating history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repeating-history/) [Repeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repeats/) [Seeking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeking/) [Throwing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/throwing/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Very good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/very-good/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [I put the truth out there, I put the historical facts into Hip Hop to show us how much history repeats itself and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immortal-technique/i-put-the-truth-out-there-i-put-the-historical-facts-into-hip-hop-to/) [Immortal Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immortal-technique/) > [Each time history repeats itself, the price goes up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-wright/each-time-history-repeats-itself-the-price-goes-up/) [Ronald Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-wright/) > ["History repeats itself" and "History never repeats itself" are about equally true ... We never know enough about the infinitely complex circumstances of any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-m-trevelyan/history-repeats-itself-and-history-never-repeats-itself-are-about/) [G. M. Trevelyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-m-trevelyan/) > [A revival almost always begins among the laity. The ecclesiastical leaders seldom welcome reformation. History repeats itself. The present leaders are too comfortably situated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-bartleman/a-revival-almost-always-begins-among-the-laity-the-ecclesiastical/) [Frank Bartleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-bartleman/) > [History repeats itself in the large because human nature changes with geological leisureliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-durant/history-repeats-itself-in-the-large-because-human-nature-changes-with/) [Will Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-durant/) > [History repeats itself, but the special call of an art which has passed away is never reproduced. It is as utterly gone out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/history-repeats-itself-but-the-special-call-of-an-art-which-has/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [The past does not repeat itself, but it rhymes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-past-does-not-repeat-itself-but-it-rhymes/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I am gay. I am a Jew. My mother lost over a dozen of her family to Hitler's anti-Semitism. Every time in Russia (and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-fry/i-am-gay-i-am-a-jew-my-mother-lost-over-a-dozen-of-her-family-to/) [Stephen Fry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-fry/) > [History repeats itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/history-repeats-itself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It was interesting looking back at the '80s and trying to find newspaper headlines from the time - the cliché of history repeating itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-k-vaughan/it-was-interesting-looking-back-at-the-80s-and-trying-to-find/) [Brian K. Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-k-vaughan/) > [History repeats itself again I guess the rate of innovation is so high in our industry that if you don’t innovate at that speed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thorsten-heins/history-repeats-itself-again-i-guess-the-rate-of-innovation-is-so/) [Thorsten Heins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thorsten-heins/) > [“And does history repeat itself, the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce?No, that’s too grand, too considered a process. History just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-barnes/and-does-history-repeat-itself-the-first-time-as-tragedy-the-second/) [Julian Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-barnes/) > [“History repeats itself only in that, from afar, we all seem to lead exactly the same life. We are all born; we all spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bloor/history-repeats-itself-only-in-that-from-afar-we-all-seem-to-lead/) [Edward Bloor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bloor/) > [History repeats itself over and over again, but most of us have short memories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/history-repeats-itself-over-and-over-again-but-most-of-us-have-short/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [History repeats itself, but in such cunning disguise that we never detect the resemblance until the damage is done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/history-repeats-itself-but-in-such-cunning-disguise-that-we-never/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) ## More by Sheena Iyengar > [“Personal happiness is always a very serious matter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/personal-happiness-is-always-a-very-serious-matter/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [Then, the other thing that affected my interest in choices growing up was the fact that I was going blind and that meant that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/then-the-other-thing-that-affected-my-interest-in-choices-growing-up/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [“move. For one thing, you’re going to start paying more attention. Yes, perhaps you’ll sometimes have a crazed, wild-eyed look, but that’s a price…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/move-for-one-thing-you-re-going-to-start-paying-more-attention-yes/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [What we share with animals is a desire for choice. It's a desire to have control over our life and a desire to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/what-we-share-with-animals-is-a-desire-for-choice-it-s-a-desire-to/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [You know, you take a little infant and you turn on the music mobile on their crib and you find that if you give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/you-know-you-take-a-little-infant-and-you-turn-on-the-music-mobile-on/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [I went home and they seemed... my parents seemed normal. They didn't seem to feel like somehow they had been victims of some Nazi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/i-went-home-and-they-seemed-my-parents-seemed-normal-they-didn-t-seem/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [The less control people had over their work, the higher their blood pressure during work hours. Moreover, blood pressure at home was unrelated to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/the-less-control-people-had-over-their-work-the-higher-their-blood/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [Consumers presented with six choices on an item were twice as likely to buy as consumers overwhelmed with 24 varieties of the same item.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/consumers-presented-with-six-choices-on-an-item-were-twice-as-likely/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [The quality of health care continues to improve, and people are living longer, but these developments mean that we're likely to eventually find ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/the-quality-of-health-care-continues-to-improve-and-people-are-living/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [The key to getting the most from choice is to be choosy about choosing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/the-key-to-getting-the-most-from-choice-is-to-be-choosy-about-choosing/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [I used to go to this store called Draeger's and you had a little bit of that same feeling because this was a store…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/i-used-to-go-to-this-store-called-draeger-s-and-you-had-a-little-bit/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [Balancing hopes, desires and an appreciating of the possibilities with a clear-eyed assessment of the limitations: that is the art of choosing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/balancing-hopes-desires-and-an-appreciating-of-the-possibilities-with/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [So gut tells you "How do I feel about this right now?" It doesn't tell me how I feel about it tomorrow or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/so-gut-tells-you-how-do-i-feel-about-this-right-now-it-doesn-t-tell/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [I put out a good 10 different types of drinks for them and they just said, "Oh, okay, so it's just one choice." One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/i-put-out-a-good-10-different-types-of-drinks-for-them-and-they-just/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) > [Like, people are less likely to invest in their retirement when they have more options in their 401K plans than when they have fewer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheena-iyengar/like-people-are-less-likely-to-invest-in-their-retirement-when-they/) [Sheena Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) [Explore all 158 Sheena Iyengar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheena-iyengar/) ## More Advice quotes > [The sensible person is always serious about sensible advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-sensible-person-is-always-serious-about-sensible-advice/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [Don't get too attached to someone you know you can't be together with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-get-too-attached-to-someone-you-know-you-can-t-be-together-with/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [A low-minded person should not be given good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-low-minded-person-should-not-be-given-good-advice/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Time is priceless. You have it, but you don't own it. You spend it, but you can't keep it. And once it's gone, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-is-priceless-you-have-it-but-you-don-t-own-it-you-spend-it-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't need to take a persons advice to make him feel good, just ask him for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/you-don-t-need-to-take-a-persons-advice-to-make-him-feel-good-just/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [“If your clothes are enough to drive would-be friends away, they're not the kind of friends you want." Typical mother advice. Sweet, honest, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/if-your-clothes-are-enough-to-drive-would-be-friends-away-they-re-not/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“My kingdom not for a horse, but for a good piece of advice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/my-kingdom-not-for-a-horse-but-for-a-good-piece-of-advice/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [My relationship with Ibrahimovic was completely neutral. He is not the type of player to approach the younger players and give them advice. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kingsley-coman/my-relationship-with-ibrahimovic-was-completely-neutral-he-is-not-the/) [Kingsley Coman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kingsley-coman/) [Browse all 8,535 Advice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The saying goes that history repeats itself; personal histories do the same. We can gather the lessons of others’ lives through observation, conversation, and by seeking advice. 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