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About this quote

What does it mean?
People involved in historical events often fail to understand the lessons those events teach.
In plain terms
Those living through history rarely learn its lessons.
What can you take from it?
History's lessons are often missed by the people involved.

Where it applies

  • analyzing past events
  • personal reflection
  • leadership development

Putting it to work

  • study history objectively
  • seek external feedback
  • reflect on past decisions

Questions to consider

  • Why do people repeat historical mistakes?
  • How can we learn from history without living it?

Another view

Some individuals do learn deeply from their direct experiences.

More from James A. Garfield

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  2. The possession of great powers no doubt carries with it a contempt for mere external show.

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  3. Most human organizations that fall short of their goals do so not because of stupidity or faulty doctrines, but because of internal decay and rigidification. T…

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