Dave Barry, I'm not...

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

George Washington, 1st President, 1789-1797

OK, folks. I ascertain you don't need to hear my opinions about these Presidents. This ain't about me. The idea here is to gain insight about what they said and how it could to relate to us in our times and circumstances.

So let's change this up. Let's add some context to these quotes. So I'll spend some time here telling from where the quote originated, to whom it was addressed, and the circumstances surrounding it.

This quote was taken from a letter written to John Armstrong on March 26, 1781, near the revolutionary war's end. The fighting had shifted to the southern part of the colonies, around Virginia. The outcome still remained very much in doubt. Washington had not heard from one of his generals for several weeks nor from one of the commanders of the French fleet who had come to the colonies' assistance. Recruiting efforts were bogging down. Washington surely was not anticipating a glorious victory.

But neither was he in despair; he was not questioning the decision to press ahead and learn and adapt. He said, "We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting from dear-bought experience."