--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We never really know and the very fact…" description: "\"We never really know and the very fact that there are such words in the language as disappointment, regret, etc., is testimony to the pervasiveness and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/203/thomas-sowell-247_conditions_we-never-really-know-and-the-very-fact-t_2288334.jpg" --- # We never really know and the very fact that there are such… ![“We never really know and the very fact that there are such words in the language as disappointment, regret, etc., is testimony to the pervasiveness and persistence of this feature of the human condition.” quote by Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/203/thomas-sowell-247_conditions_we-never-really-know-and-the-very-fact-t_2288334.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/203/thomas-sowell-247_conditions_we-never-really-know-and-the-very-fact-t_2288334.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/203/thomas-sowell-247_conditions_we-never-really-know-and-the-very-fact-t_2288334.jpg) > “We never really know and the very fact that there are such words in the language as disappointment, regret, etc., is testimony to the pervasiveness and persistence of this feature of the human condition.” [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human language reflects deep emotional experiences like disappointment and regret, showing these feelings are inherent to humanity. **In simple terms:** Words show disappointment and regret are human. Key Takeaway Accept emotional language as part of life. Themes human nature emotion language Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - counseling - education - writing Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What role do disappointment and regret play in growth? - How can we transform these feelings? A Different Perspective Focusing on negativity can hinder growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conditions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conditions/) [Disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointment/) [Disappointment Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappointment-regret-519736/) [Etc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/etc/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Features](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/features/) [Human condition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-condition/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Language Disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language-disappointment-5366744/) [Persistence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persistence/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Regret Testimony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret-testimony-5366745/) [Testimony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/testimony/) ## Related quotes > [We go through life with tons of disappointment, regret, sadness and some happy parts. Don't dread on the bad stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serenity-c/we-go-through-life-with-tons-of-disappointment-regret-sadness-and/) [Serenity C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serenity-c/) > [Please let me assure you, however, that the keen disappointment and regret which I feel in this regard serve only to enhance my profound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cordell-hull/please-let-me-assure-you-however-that-the-keen-disappointment-and/) [Cordell Hull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cordell-hull/) > [So rather than denying or stuffing your past, go ahead and look at it, but without judgment. Look at it, express it, admit it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-grabhorn/so-rather-than-denying-or-stuffing-your-past-go-ahead-and-look-at-it/) [Lynn Grabhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-grabhorn/) > [It's easier to live with disappointment than regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-agassi/it-s-easier-to-live-with-disappointment-than-regret/) [Andre Agassi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-agassi/) > [What freedom does a starving man have?" The answer is that starvation is a tragic human condition- perhaps more tragic than loss of freedom.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/what-freedom-does-a-starving-man-have-the-answer-is-that-starvation/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [What is especially disturbing about the political left is that they seem to have no sense of the tragedy of the human condition. Instead,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/what-is-especially-disturbing-about-the-political-left-is-that-they/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [The rule which should guide us in such cases is simple and obvious enough: that the aggregate testimony of our neighbours is subject to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kingdon-clifford/the-rule-which-should-guide-us-in-such-cases-is-simple-and-obvious/) [William Kingdon Clifford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kingdon-clifford/) > [In spite of calamity, He still has a plan for me, And it’s working for my good, And it’s building my testimony...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-sapp/in-spite-of-calamity-he-still-has-a-plan-for-me-and-it-s-working-for/) [Marvin Sapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-sapp/) > [If you are spiritual and faithful about your situation, you'll make it through it. 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I pray that the changes God has done in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/i-never-get-tired-of-hearing-the-great-testimonies-of-people-whom-god/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [There is no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith. If Joseph Smith was verily a prophet, and if he told the truth...no man can reject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-fielding-smith/there-is-no-salvation-without-accepting-joseph-smith-if-joseph-smith/) [Joseph Fielding Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-fielding-smith/) > [What you receive from others is a testimony to their virtue; but all that you do for others is the sign and clear indication…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giordano-bruno/what-you-receive-from-others-is-a-testimony-to-their-virtue-but-all/) [Giordano Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giordano-bruno/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) ## More by Thomas Sowell > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [There is no bigger waste of time than doing 90% of what is necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/there-is-no-bigger-waste-of-time-than-doing-90-of-what-is-necessary/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [If you have always believed that everyone should play by the same rules and be judged by the same standards, that would have gotten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/if-you-have-always-believed-that-everyone-should-play-by-the-same/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [“In 1962, Democratic President John F. Kennedy, like both Democratic and Republican Presidents and Secretaries of the Treasury in earlier years, pointed out that “it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/in-1962-democratic-president-john-f-kennedy-like-both-democratic-and/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Ideological bigotry has become the norm on even our most prestigious campuses, where students can go for years without reading or hearing anything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/ideological-bigotry-has-become-the-norm-on-even-our-most-prestigious/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Bailing out people who made ill-advised mortgages makes no more sense that bailing out people who lost their life savings in Las Vegas casinos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/bailing-out-people-who-made-ill-advised-mortgages-makes-no-more-sense/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [“One third of all Scots in the mid-nineteenth century moved from one county to another”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/one-third-of-all-scots-in-the-mid-nineteenth-century-moved-from-one/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [The difference is that we have the hardest and most painful evidence that there was a Holocaust. But, for the global warming scenario that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-difference-is-that-we-have-the-hardest-and-most-painful-evidence/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [“Just as price fluctuations allocate scarce resources which have alternative uses, price controls which limit those fluctuations reduce the incentives for individuals to limit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/just-as-price-fluctuations-allocate-scarce-resources-which-have/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [The greatest danger to the liberal vision are facts about the consequences of liberalism itself and the laws, policies, and ways of life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-greatest-danger-to-the-liberal-vision-are-facts-about-the/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Having spent years ruining the housing markets with their interference, leading to a housing meltdown that has taken the whole economy down with it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/having-spent-years-ruining-the-housing-markets-with-their/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Do all children have some inherent right to live in America if they have done nothing wrong? If not, then why should the children…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/do-all-children-have-some-inherent-right-to-live-in-america-if-they/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [What 'eminent domain' laws mean in practice is that politicians have a right to seize your property and turn it over to someone else,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/what-eminent-domain-laws-mean-in-practice-is-that-politicians-have-a/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [“those parts of the British Isles without the advantage of coal deposits or ports, industrialization was as handicapped as in other countries.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/those-parts-of-the-british-isles-without-the-advantage-of-coal/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [The whole idea of equal justice under law is completely incompatible with the idea of judges deciding cases according to "empathy".](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-whole-idea-of-equal-justice-under-law-is-completely-incompatible/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) [Explore all 823 Thomas Sowell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) ## More Conditions quotes > [One can put some trust in the gratitude of a sovereign, and also in that of his family; under certain conditions, one can even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/one-can-put-some-trust-in-the-gratitude-of-a-sovereign-and-also-in/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [Most celebrated men live in a condition of prostitution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-augustin-sainte-beuve/most-celebrated-men-live-in-a-condition-of-prostitution/) [Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-augustin-sainte-beuve/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [History is, in its essentials, the science of change. It knows and it teaches that it is impossible to find two events that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-bloch/history-is-in-its-essentials-the-science-of-change-it-knows-and-it/) [Marc Bloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-bloch/) > [The average condition of the people improving or deteriorating, depends upon whether population is advancing faster than improvement, or improvement than population.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-average-condition-of-the-people-improving-or-deteriorating/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The God in whose hands are all our days and ways, did cast into my hand one day a book of Martin Luthers; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bunyan/the-god-in-whose-hands-are-all-our-days-and-ways-did-cast-into-my/) [John Bunyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bunyan/) > [It clearly follows that to make men moral it is necessary to make their social environment moral. 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