But after this natural burst of indignation, no man of sense, courage, or prudence will waste his time or his strength in retrospective reproaches or repinings.
Meaning of the quote
It's not easy to understand this quote from Robert Peel. He's saying that after a moment of anger or frustration, smart, brave, and wise people won't waste their time or energy complaining about the past or feeling sorry for themselves. Instead, they'll focus on moving forward. The key idea is that dwelling on the past isn't helpful, and it's better to use your time and effort in more positive ways.
About Robert Peel
Sir Robert Peel was a prominent British statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice and is known as the ‘father of modern policing’ for founding the Metropolitan Police Service. He was a key figure in the Conservative Party and played a pivotal role in shaping policies such as Catholic emancipation, free trade, and income tax.
More quotes from Robert Peel
The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.
British Prime Minister, Conservative statesman, and art collector (1788-1850)
Public opinion is a compound of folly, weakness, prejudice, wrong feeling, right feeling, obstinacy, and newspaper paragraphs.
British Prime Minister, Conservative statesman, and art collector (1788-1850)
There seem to me to be very few facts, at least ascertainable facts, in politics.
British Prime Minister, Conservative statesman, and art collector (1788-1850)
No minister ever stood, or could stand, against public opinion.
British Prime Minister, Conservative statesman, and art collector (1788-1850)
But after this natural burst of indignation, no man of sense, courage, or prudence will waste his time or his strength in retrospective reproaches or repinings.
British Prime Minister, Conservative statesman, and art collector (1788-1850)
Agitation is the marshalling of the conscience of a nation to mold its laws.
British Prime Minister, Conservative statesman, and art collector (1788-1850)
On the Wednesday evening – that is, the day I saw her Majesty on this particular point – I had the opportunity of conferring with all those whom I proposed to submit to her Majesty as Ministers.
British Prime Minister, Conservative statesman, and art collector (1788-1850)
The Reform Bill has destroyed the ancient conduits and strainers, and brings Public Opinion to act upon the government with the rapid, turbulent, and uncertain violence of a flood!
British Prime Minister, Conservative statesman, and art collector (1788-1850)