“It is necessary sometimes to take one step backward to take two steps forward.”
Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924) Russian politician, led the October Revolution
Source: The State and Revolution
“It is necessary sometimes to take one step backward to take two steps forward.”
Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924) Russian politician, led the October Revolution
“Some men a forward motion love,
But I by backward steps would move.”
Henry Vaughan (1621–1695) Welsh author, physician and metaphysical poet
"The Retreat," l. 29.
Silex Scintillans (1655)
“And a step backward, after making a wrong turn, is a step in the right direction.”
Kurt Vonnegut book Player Piano
Source: Player Piano (1952), Chapter 32 (p. 295)
“You will either step forward into growth, or you will step backward into safety.”
Abraham Maslow (1908–1970) American psychologist
As quoted in How the Best Leaders Lead : Proven Secrets to Getting the Most Out of Yourself and Others (2010) by Brian Tracy, p. 35.
1970s and later
Jean Monnet (1888–1979) French political economist regarded by many as a chief architect of European unity
Speech by Robert Schuman (9 May 1950), written by Monnet
Jean Monnet 1888-1979
Rosa Luxemburg (1871–1919) Polish Marxist theorist, socialist philosopher, and revolutionary
Leninism or Marxism? (1904)
“We have taken our last backwards step.”
Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885) 18th President of the United States
North and South, Book II https://listenonrepeat.com/watch/?v=vopVVBiC80g#General_Grant_s_Strategies (1986). <br class="br">In fiction, <span class="plainlinks"> North and South, Book II http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090490/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast (1986)</span>
Lois McMaster Bujold Vorkosigan Saga
Source: Vorkosigan Saga, Captain Vorpatril's Alliance (2012), Chapter 24 (p. 527)
Beverly White (1928–2021) American politician
As quoted in The Salt Lake Tribune https://archive.ph/9bzsC (February 26, 1988) <br class="br">Stated in response to legislation which would allow confessions from child abusers to the clergy to remain confidential
Joe Biden (1942) 47th Vice President of the United States (in office from 2009 to 2017)
2021, March 2021, Remarks by President Biden Before Economic Briefing with Treasury Secretary Yellen