--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You do not move ahead by constantly…" description: "\"You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you. We must learn from the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/warren-w-wiersbe-2017_anchors_you-do-not-move-ahead-by-constantly-look_2843940.jpg" --- # You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view… ![“You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you. We must learn from the past but not live in the past.” quote by Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/warren-w-wiersbe-2017_anchors_you-do-not-move-ahead-by-constantly-look_2843940.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/warren-w-wiersbe-2017_anchors_you-do-not-move-ahead-by-constantly-look_2843940.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/warren-w-wiersbe-2017_anchors_you-do-not-move-ahead-by-constantly-look_2843940.jpg) > “You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you. We must learn from the past but not live in the past.” [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The past should guide decisions like a rudder, not hold you back like an anchor. **In simple terms:** Past guides, doesn’t trap. Key Takeaway Learn from past, move forward. Themes growth reflection direction faith Mood inspirational thoughtful Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - personal development - coaching - spiritual counseling Key Concepts guidance temporal perspective Questions to Reflect On - How can you use past lessons without being stuck? - What anchors you from progress? A Different Perspective Overreliance on past can cause stagnation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anchors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anchors/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-inspirational/) [Drag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drag/) [Guides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guides/) [Learn from the past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn-from-the-past/) [Learn Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learn-past/) [Live Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-past/) [Looking Rear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looking-rear-797809/) [Mirror Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mirror-past-2915121/) [Mirrors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mirrors/) [Moving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving/) [Moving ahead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moving-ahead/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Rear view](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rear-view/) [Rear view mirror](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rear-view-mirror/) [Rudders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rudders/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Views](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/views/) ## Related quotes > [You can't go through life looking in the rear view mirror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-go-through-life-looking-in-the-rear-view-mirror/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Running a company on market research is like driving while looking in the rear view mirror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-roddick/running-a-company-on-market-research-is-like-driving-while-looking-in/) [Anita Roddick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-roddick/) > [You can drive a car by looking in the rear view mirror as long as nothing is ahead of you. Not enough software professionals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-joy/you-can-drive-a-car-by-looking-in-the-rear-view-mirror-as-long-as/) [Bill Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-joy/) > [Marshall McLuhan is absolutely right, we are always looking in the rear view mirror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/marshall-mcluhan-is-absolutely-right-we-are-always-looking-in-the/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Management by results - like driving a car by looking in rear view mirror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/management-by-results-like-driving-a-car-by-looking-in-rear-view/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [Im looking in my rear view, I see the world in it. I try to slow down, and I get rear ended.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/im-looking-in-my-rear-view-i-see-the-world-in-it-i-try-to-slow-down/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) > [It's as much looking out your rear-view mirror as the windshield. You want to make sure you put your car in front of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltrip/it-s-as-much-looking-out-your-rear-view-mirror-as-the-windshield-you/) [Michael Waltrip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltrip/) > [I have a really small rear-view mirror in my life. I look at the rear-view mirror for memories and learning experiences, but I've got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-croce/i-have-a-really-small-rear-view-mirror-in-my-life-i-look-at-the-rear/) [Pat Croce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-croce/) > [The past is like using your rear view mirror in the car. It's good to glance back and see how far you've come, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-past-is-like-using-your-rear-view-mirror-in-the-car-it-s-good-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can lip read, so I know what other people are saying about me - especially when I clock them in my rear view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-beesley/i-can-lip-read-so-i-know-what-other-people-are-saying-about-me/) [Max Beesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-beesley/) > [When I listen to candidates spend all their time attacking Barack Obama, I'm glad they're not driving this bus because they'd be looking through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kasich/when-i-listen-to-candidates-spend-all-their-time-attacking-barack/) [John Kasich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kasich/) > [Every road in life is a journey. The rear view mirror is to remind us of where we have been so that we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/every-road-in-life-is-a-journey-the-rear-view-mirror-is-to-remind-us/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [ \[H\]istory is seen in a rear-view mirror while the future is the dark, foggy road ahead, filled with unknown trouble. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-caruba/h-istory-is-seen-in-a-rear-view-mirror-while-the-future-is-the-dark/) [Alan Caruba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-caruba/) > [I'm paranoid. On my stationary bike, I have a rear view mirror.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-lewis/i-m-paranoid-on-my-stationary-bike-i-have-a-rear-view-mirror/) [Richard Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-lewis/) > [In my rear view mirror the sun is going down sinking behind bridges in the road and I think of all the good things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/in-my-rear-view-mirror-the-sun-is-going-down-sinking-behind-bridges/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) ## More by Warren W. Wiersbe > [The bumps are what you climb on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-bumps-are-what-you-climb-on/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [Those times when you feel like quitting can be times of great opportunity, for God uses your troubles to help you grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/those-times-when-you-feel-like-quitting-can-be-times-of-great/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [“The Hebrew word translated “comfort” also means “to repent.” God brings comfort, not to rebellious people but to repentant people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-hebrew-word-translated-comfort-also-means-to-repent-god-brings/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [“When we trust the Son of God, there is no need for intermediary beings between us and heaven!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/when-we-trust-the-son-of-god-there-is-no-need-for-intermediary-beings/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [“The faith that conquers fear is faith in the Word, not faith in feelings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-faith-that-conquers-fear-is-faith-in-the-word-not-faith-in/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [“Yesterday God helped me, Today He’ll do the same. How long will this continue? Forever—praise His name!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/yesterday-god-helped-me-today-he-ll-do-the-same-how-long-will-this/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [“He that believeth shall not make haste” (Isa. 28:16). True faith in God brings a calmness to the heart that keeps us from rushing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/he-that-believeth-shall-not-make-haste-isa-28-16-true-faith-in-god/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [“The I AM statements recorded in Scripture reveal the depths of the Christian life and how God’s children can go deeper by living with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-i-am-statements-recorded-in-scripture-reveal-the-depths-of-the/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [“Note that God chose us even before He created the universe, so that our salvation is wholly of His grace and not on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/note-that-god-chose-us-even-before-he-created-the-universe-so-that/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [“The world’s philosophy is that you are 'great' if others are working for you, but Christ’s message is that greatness comes from our serving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-world-s-philosophy-is-that-you-are-great-if-others-are-working/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [“Luther called marriage “a school for character,” and he was right. He realized that his own life was enriched because of the love of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/luther-called-marriage-a-school-for-character-and-he-was-right-he/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [Four Lessons on Life 1. Never take down a fence until you know why it was put up. 2. If you get too far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/four-lessons-on-life-1-never-take-down-a-fence-until-you-know-why-it/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [“The service we render for others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth. ” Wilfred Grenfell”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-service-we-render-for-others-is-really-the-rent-we-pay-for-our/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [Life's trials are not easy. But in God's will, each has a purpose. Often He uses them to enlarge you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/life-s-trials-are-not-easy-but-in-god-s-will-each-has-a-purpose-often/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [“In times of despair, it’s best to ignore our feelings and simply do what God tells us to do, leaving the consequences with Him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/in-times-of-despair-it-s-best-to-ignore-our-feelings-and-simply-do/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) [Explore all 191 Warren W. Wiersbe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) ## More Anchors quotes > [My identity shifted when I got into # recovery . That's who I am now, and it actually gives me greater pleasure to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/my-identity-shifted-when-i-got-into-recovery-that-s-who-i-am-now-and/) [Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/) > [Where it all ends I can't fathom, my friends. If I knew, I might toss out my anchor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-buffett/where-it-all-ends-i-can-t-fathom-my-friends-if-i-knew-i-might-toss/) [Jimmy Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-buffett/) > [My mom taught me the power of love. I learned to focus on the long-term big picture from my father. His sense of humor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padmasree-warrior/my-mom-taught-me-the-power-of-love-i-learned-to-focus-on-the-long/) [Padmasree Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padmasree-warrior/) > [The past is an anchor with suffering written on the rope. I don't live there now. I am cutting myself free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-millar/the-past-is-an-anchor-with-suffering-written-on-the-rope-i-don-t-live/) [Mark Millar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-millar/) > [I was born imagining myself with an apron on, with pies cooling on the window sill and babies crying upstairs. I thought that all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-fisher/i-was-born-imagining-myself-with-an-apron-on-with-pies-cooling-on-the/) [Carrie Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-fisher/) > [It's all still about having a good story. You have to have a good story as your anchor, as your main focus. So for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-s-all-still-about-having-a-good-story-you-have-to-have-a-good/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Women and God are the two rocks on which a man must either anchor or be wrecked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/women-and-god-are-the-two-rocks-on-which-a-man-must-either-anchor-or/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [Footnote: 79) The anchor is gigantic and must weigh a hundred tons, and -- delightfully -- it really is anchor-shaped, i.e. the same shape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/footnote-79-the-anchor-is-gigantic-and-must-weigh-a-hundred-tons-and/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [Up anchor! Up anchor! Set sail and away! The ventures of dreamland Are thine for a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silas-weir-mitchell/up-anchor-up-anchor-set-sail-and-away-the-ventures-of-dreamland-are/) [Silas Weir Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silas-weir-mitchell/) > [Cast all your cares on God; that anchor holds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/cast-all-your-cares-on-god-that-anchor-holds/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [I'm single, footloose and fancy free, I have no responsibilities, no anchors. Work, friendship and self-improvement, that's me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/i-m-single-footloose-and-fancy-free-i-have-no-responsibilities-no/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [I get an adrenaline rush from "playing with the big boys." I consider myself a tomboy and was an athlete in high school, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-alexander/i-get-an-adrenaline-rush-from-playing-with-the-big-boys-i-consider/) [Megan Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-alexander/) > [Ultimate hope constitutes the anchor of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/ultimate-hope-constitutes-the-anchor-of-the-soul/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Experience had quickly taught her that she could not survive the storms without the anchor of the constraining love of Christ and what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/experience-had-quickly-taught-her-that-she-could-not-survive-the/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Kids are anchors of mothers' life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/kids-are-anchors-of-mothers-life/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) [Browse all 358 Anchors quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anchors/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you. We must learn from the past but not live in the past.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Warren W. Wiersbe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/you-do-not-move-ahead-by-constantly-looking-in-a-rear-view-mirror-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Anchors" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/you-do-not-move-ahead-by-constantly-looking-in-a-rear-view-mirror-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/warren-w-wiersbe-2017_anchors_you-do-not-move-ahead-by-constantly-look_2843940.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/warren-w-wiersbe-2017_anchors_you-do-not-move-ahead-by-constantly-look_2843940.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ab/warren-w-wiersbe-2017_anchors_you-do-not-move-ahead-by-constantly-look_2843940.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view mirror. The past is a rudder to guide you, not an…” — Warren W. Wiersbe", "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": "Warren W. Wiersbe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You do not move ahead by...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/you-do-not-move-ahead-by-constantly-looking-in-a-rear-view-mirror-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/you-do-not-move-ahead-by-constantly-looking-in-a-rear-view-mirror-the/#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 } } ] } ```