--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Regret for things we have done can be…" description: "\"“Regret for things we have done can be tempered by time, it is regret for things we have not done that is inconsolable.”\" — Sydney J Harris" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3b/sydney-j-harris-2-78170_inspirational_regret-for-things-we-have-done-can-be-te_2210476.jpg" --- # Regret for things we have done can be tempered by time, it… ![“Regret for things we have done can be tempered by time, it is regret for things we have not done that is inconsolable.” quote by Sydney J Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3b/sydney-j-harris-2-78170_inspirational_regret-for-things-we-have-done-can-be-te_2210476.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3b/sydney-j-harris-2-78170_inspirational_regret-for-things-we-have-done-can-be-te_2210476.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3b/sydney-j-harris-2-78170_inspirational_regret-for-things-we-have-done-can-be-te_2210476.jpg) > ““Regret for things we have done can be tempered by time, it is regret for things we have not done that is inconsolable.”” [Sydney J Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Time heals regrets of actions, but missed opportunities leave lasting anguish. **In simple terms:** Untried chances haunt more than mistakes. Key Takeaway Pursue opportunities before they vanish. Themes regret time missed chances reflection growth Mood reflective somber thoughtful Type philosophical motivational literary When to use this quote - career decisions - personal relationships - creative projects - travel plans Key Concepts opportunity cost existential longing psychology of regret Questions to Reflect On - What opportunity have you let slip? - How can you balance caution with action? A Different Perspective Regret can be rationalized, not fully resolved. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Regret Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret-things/) [Things Inconsolable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-inconsolable-4892520/) [Things Tempered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-tempered-2558525/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-regret-994054/) ## Related quotes > [“Regret for the things you have done can be tempered with time, It's regret for the things you have not doen that is inconsolable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reader-s-digest/regret-for-the-things-you-have-done-can-be-tempered-with-time-it-s/) [Reader's Digest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reader-s-digest/) > [Regret for the things you have done is easier tempered through time than regret for the things you did'nt do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/regret-for-the-things-you-have-done-is-easier-tempered-through-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/regret-for-the-things-we-did-can-be-tempered-by-time-it-is-regret-for-2/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorian-cox/regret-for-the-things-we-did-can-be-tempered-by-time-it-is-regret-for/) [Dorian Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorian-cox/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [“I'd rather regret the things I have done than the things that I haven't.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-d-rather-regret-the-things-i-have-done-than-the-things-that-i-haven/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [I can't really regret things; you just have to move on and live your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meghan-mccain/i-can-t-really-regret-things-you-just-have-to-move-on-and-live-your/) [Meghan McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meghan-mccain/) > [Time moves on and we later regret the things not done, the words not said, the love not shown, life's too short, do what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/time-moves-on-and-we-later-regret-the-things-not-done-the-words-not/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [“I would rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I haven’t done. ~Lucille Ball”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-langston/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-i-ve-done-than-regret-the-things-i/) [K. Langston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-langston/) > [The only things you regret are the things you didn't do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-curtiz/the-only-things-you-regret-are-the-things-you-didn-t-do/) [Michael Curtiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-curtiz/) > [I think you regret the things that you don't do more than the things you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-riley/i-think-you-regret-the-things-that-you-don-t-do-more-than-the-things/) [Rachel Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-riley/) > [Always regret the things you did do, never the things you didn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-koomson/always-regret-the-things-you-did-do-never-the-things-you-didn-t/) [Dorothy Koomson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-koomson/) > [In the end you regret less the things you believed that weren't true than the things that never came true because you didn't believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/in-the-end-you-regret-less-the-things-you-believed-that-weren-t-true/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [Usually you regret the things you say no to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/usually-you-regret-the-things-you-say-no-to/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [Don't regret the things you've done regret the things you haven't taken a chance on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/don-t-regret-the-things-you-ve-done-regret-the-things-you-haven-t/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) ## More by Sydney J Harris > [One good reason why computers can do more work than people is that they never have to stop and answer the phone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris-2/one-good-reason-why-computers-can-do-more-work-than-people-is-that/) [Sydney J Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris-2/) > [Ninety percent of the world's woe comes from people not knowing themselves, their abilities, their frailties, and even their real virtues. Most of us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris-2/ninety-percent-of-the-world-s-woe-comes-from-people-not-knowing/) [Sydney J Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris-2/) [Explore all 3 Sydney J Harris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris-2/) ## More Inspirational quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/) [H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/) > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/if-you-want-to-build-a-ship-don-t-drum-up-the-men-to-gather-wood/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [Too much familiarity breeds contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/too-much-familiarity-breeds-contempt/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [We never really perceive what color is physically!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-is-physically/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [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/) [Browse all 114,561 Inspirational quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Regret for things we have done can be tempered by time, it is regret for things we have not done that is inconsolable.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sydney J Harris" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris-2/regret-for-things-we-have-done-can-be-tempered-by-time-it-is-regret/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Inspirational" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris-2/regret-for-things-we-have-done-can-be-tempered-by-time-it-is-regret/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3b/sydney-j-harris-2-78170_inspirational_regret-for-things-we-have-done-can-be-te_2210476.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3b/sydney-j-harris-2-78170_inspirational_regret-for-things-we-have-done-can-be-te_2210476.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a3b/sydney-j-harris-2-78170_inspirational_regret-for-things-we-have-done-can-be-te_2210476.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Regret for things we have done can be tempered by time, it is regret for things we have not done that is…” — Sydney J Harris", "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": "Sydney J Harris", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris-2/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Regret for things we have done...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris-2/regret-for-things-we-have-done-can-be-tempered-by-time-it-is-regret/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris-2/regret-for-things-we-have-done-can-be-tempered-by-time-it-is-regret/#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 } } ] } ```