You learn from a conglomeration of the incredible past - whatever experience gotten in any way whatsoever.

To rectify past blunders is impossible, but we might profit by the experience of them.

We should not look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.

Man... cannot learn to forget, but hangs on the past: however far or fast he runs, that chain runs with him.

The lack of historical memory is a serious shortcoming in our society. A mentality that can only say, "Then was then, now is now", is ultimately immature. Knowing and judging past events is the only way to build a meaningful future. Memory is necessary for growth.

Lust for the future, treasure the past.