“In 1736 I lost one of my Sons, a fine Boy of 4 Years old, by the Smallpox taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly and still regret that I had not given it to him by Inoculation. This I mention for the Sake of Parents who omit that Operation on the Supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a Child died under it; my Example showing that the Regret may be the same either way, and that therefore the safer should be chosen.”
On Immunization, Part III, p. 83.
The Autobiography (1818)
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Benjamin Franklin 183
American author, printer, political theorist, politician, p… 1706–1790Related quotes
Variant: I knew my father had done the best he could, and I had no regrets about the way I'd turned out. Regrets about journey, maybe, but not the destination.
Source: Dear John
Thoughts on Man's Purpose in Life (1974), Exchange with Admiral Rickover (1982)
Context: I do not have regrets. I believe I helped preserve the peace for this country. Why should I regret that? What I accomplished was approved by Congress — which represents our people. All of you live in safety from domestic enemies because of security from the police. Likewise, you live in safety from foreign enemies because our military keeps them from attacking us. Nuclear technology was already under development in other countries. My assigned responsibility was to develop our nuclear navy. I managed to accomplish this.
cue Python sketch: "Upper Class Twit of the Year"
From PBS series Monty Python's Personal Best: John Cleese's Personal Best (2006), playing role of senile old man.
Excerpts from 1966 press conference, in Baseball: 8th Inning – A Whole New Ballgame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ouIk6RvUl8 (1994) by Ken Burns, Geoffrey C. Ward
Context: I don’t know if cortisone is good for you or not. But to take a shot every other ball game is more than I wanted to do and to walk around with a constant upset stomach because of the pills and to be high half the time during a ball game because you’re taking painkillers … I don’t want to have to do that [... ] I don't regret one minute of the last 12 years but I think I would regret the one year that was too many.
“One of my only regrets is that I was never able to fall in love.”
Journal found in his car
From PBS series Monty Python's Personal Best: John Cleese's Personal Best (2006), playing role of senile old man.
The Children of Men (1992)