“the biggest tragedy of life is the utter impossibility to change what you have done”
In this quote by John Galsworthy, he reflects on the regret and sorrow that can come from realizing one's past mistakes. The phrase "utter impossibility to change" highlights the finality and permanence of our actions, suggesting that once something is done, it cannot be undone. This idea of irreversibility underscores the weight and gravity of our decisions, emphasizing the importance of thinking carefully before acting. Galsworthy's statement serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences that can arise from our choices, urging us to consider the repercussions before making decisions that we may come to regret.
In today's fast-paced world, John Galsworthy's observation about the impossibility of changing the past holds a significant modern relevance. With the rise of social media and digital footprints, our actions and decisions are more public and permanent than ever before. This quote serves as a reminder of the importance of reflection and taking responsibility for our choices, as they have a lasting impact on our lives and the lives of others.
One of the most poignant quotes by John Galsworthy reflects on the regret and impossibility of changing our past actions. As he states, "the biggest tragedy of life is the utter impossibility to change what you have done." This quote serves as a reminder of the weight of our decisions and the importance of being mindful of our choices.
As stated by John Galsworthy, the idea that we cannot change the past can be a heavy burden to carry. Reflecting on this concept can help us better understand our own actions and decisions. Here are some questions to consider:
Have there been instances in your life where you wish you could go back and change something you have done? How do these experiences shape your perspective on the quote by John Galsworthy?
How do you personally cope with the idea that certain actions or decisions cannot be undone? Do you find solace in acceptance, or do you struggle with the weight of regret?
In what ways can embracing the idea of learning from past mistakes or regrets help you grow as a person? How can you use these lessons to shape a better future for yourself?
“In choosing, moreover, for his father an amiable man of fifty-two, who had already lost an only son, and for his mother a woman of thirty-eight, whose first and only child he was, little Jon had done well and wisely. What had saved him from becoming a cross between a lap dog and a little prig, had been his father's adoration of his mother, for even little Jon could see that she was not merely just his mother, and that he played second fiddle to her in his father's heart: What he played in his mother's heart he knew not yet.”
“James and the other eight children of 'Superior Dosset,' of whom there are still five alive, may be said to have represented Victorian England, with its principles of trade and individualism at five per cent, and your money back - if you know what that means. At all events they've turned thirty thousand pounds into a cool million between them in the course of their long lives. (...) Their day is passing, and their type, not altogether for the advantage of the country. They were pedestrian, but they too were sound.”
“Life calls the tune, we dance.”
“One's eyes are what one is, one's mouth is what one becomes.”
“Dreaming is the poetry of Life, and we must be forgiven if we indulge in it a little.”
“I suppose that many think we live in a cheap and sensational age, all sky-signs and headlines; an age of advertisement and standardization. And yet, this is a more enlightened age than any human beings have lived in hitherto. For instance, practically all of us can read. Some of you may say: ‘Ah! But what? Detective stories, scandals, and the sporting news.’ No doubt, compared with Sunday newspapers and mystery stories, the Oedipus, Hamlet and Faust are very small beer. All the same, the number of volumes issued each year continually gains on the number of the population in all Western countries. Every phase and question of life is brought more and more into the limelight. Theatres, cinemas, the radio, and even lectures, assist the process. But they do not, and should not replace reading, because when we are just watching and listening, somebody is taking very good care that we should not stop and think. The danger in this age is not of our remaining ignorant; it is that we should lose the power of thinking for ourselves. Problems are more and more put before us, but, except to crossword puzzles and detective mysteries, do we attempt to find the answers for ourselves? Less and less. The short cut seems ever more and more desirable. But the short cut to knowledge is nearly always the longest way round. There is nothing like knowledge, picked up by or reasoned out for oneself.”