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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wisdom is often recognized only after a mistake is made.
In plain terms
You learn wisdom after you have been unwise.
What can you take from it?
Experience from failure is the true source of wisdom.

Where it applies

  • learning from failure
  • post decision analysis
  • self improvement

Putting it to work

  • learn from errors
  • value experience

Questions to consider

  • What mistakes taught you the most?
  • Can you gain wisdom without error?

Another view

It implies wisdom is impossible before making mistakes.

More from Piet Hein

  1. The way to grow grand is not: to demand. In life's every field you are what you yield.

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  2. Freedom means you're free to do just whatever pleases you; --if, of course that is to say, what you please is what you may.

    Permalink to quote #15
  3. The road to wisdom? - Well, it's plain and simple to express: Err and err and err again but less and less and less.

    Permalink to quote #12

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