What a pity that in life we only get our lessons when they are of no use to us.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Life only teaches lessons when they’re useless.
- In plain terms
- We learn things too late to benefit from them.
- What can you take from it?
- Seek knowledge proactively rather than waiting for experience.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What lessons have you learned too late?
- Can you anticipate future lessons?
Another view
It can be overly fatalistic.
More from Oscar Wilde
I have never admitted that I am more than twenty-nine, or thirty at the most. Twenty-nine when there are pink shades, thirty when there are not.
Permalink to quote #118 Education is an admirable thing. But it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.
Permalink to quote #120 Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.
Permalink to quote #117
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