If things were to be done twice, all would be wise.假如凡事都可重做,人人都可成为聪明人。
一件事情做坏了,要第二次重做是不可能的,也就是另一句谚语What's done is done.的意思。如果人人都有先见之明,那么人人都可以成为聪明人,不会犯错了。
另有一句谚语也有这意思:
It is easy to be wise after the events.
事后诸葛亮好当。
所以有谚语谓:
One good forewit is worth two afterwits.
一次先知胜过两次后省。
关于预先作妥当准备,防患未然,还有以下英谚:
Forewarned is forearmed.
预早警觉就能预早准备。
Forecast is better than work hard.
预早测算胜过埋头苦干。
反之,如果事前顾虑太多,也不一定好:
He that forecasts all perils will never sail the sea.
预知各种危险,往往使人却步。
至于有些人一次做错了事,仍不吸取教训,以至第二次重犯同样的错误。那这种人就更加愚不可及了。这可参阅It is a silly fish that is caught twice with the same bait.