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About this quote

What does it mean?
Men and nations only act wisely after trying every other option and failing.
In plain terms
Wisdom comes after running out of other choices.
What can you take from it?
Learn through exhausting alternatives.

Where it applies

  • historical analysis
  • policy review
  • strategic planning

Putting it to work

  • study historical mistakes
  • evaluate choices
  • plan prudently

Questions to consider

  • Does history teach lessons?
  • Why do we ignore wisdom?

Another view

Some actors never learn or change behavior regardless of alternatives.

More from Abba Eban

  1. The Arabs never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

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  2. If Algeria introduced a resolution declaring that the earth was flat and that Israel had flattened it, it would pass by a vote of 164 to 13 with 26 abstentions.

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  3. A consensus means that everyone agrees to say collectively what no one believes individually.

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Related quotes

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  2. Let me recite what history teaches. History teaches.

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  3. All the lessons of history and experience must be lost upon us if we are content to trust alone to the peculiar advantages we happen to possess.

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