A small arrow-shaped weathervane stands on a low sandy mound with stones and tufts of grass.

Original artwork, not a still

James Thurber

Let us not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker redirects attention from an angry view of the past and a fearful view of the future toward awareness of the present surroundings. The three directions give the advice its shape. It recommends noticing what is here instead of letting those two emotions determine the view.

Context reviewed

Share this quote