“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
— Søren Aabye Kierkegaard · 1813 – 1855Source: Journal entry JJ:167 (1843) · Check the source
Verified attributionWhat we know
- What is documented
- The idea is attested in Kierkegaard’s journal entry JJ:167 (1843); the canonical English sentence is a later shortened rendering of that passage.
- What remains uncertain
- The familiar English wording compresses and slightly alters the original journal sentence, and the citation often misdates the entry to 1844.
Understanding the quote
Kierkegaard highlights a structural conflict: meaning is something you assemble in hindsight, while living requires forward movement amid uncertainty. The thought appears in his private journal (JJ:167, 1843) and stresses that understanding and action occupy different temporal roles.
In the original · da
Livet skal forstås baglæns, men leves forlæns.
The story behind it
Kierkegaard frequently published under invented names to present conflicting perspectives. This literary tactic was central to how he explored existential problems.
Going further
- The era
- In 1843, a notably productive year, Kierkegaard recorded this idea in his journals.
- The thinking
- Put simply: thought often explains events after they happen, but real life forces you to choose before you know the outcome. It’s about acting despite uncertainty.
- Key word
- Retrospection vs. action: meaning comes after events; choices must be made beforehand.
- Who quoted it
- The concise line is quoted widely in anthologies and public talks, often about grief, career change, or historical judgment.
Three challenges to live it
In the app, you pick the one that fits your day, and in the evening you say how it went.
Spend 15 minutes writing a brief timeline (5 steps) of a past decision: note what you learned and list 2 concrete actions to take this week.
Turning hindsight into forward action practices Kierkegaard's idea: understand backwards, live forwards by moving from insight to steps.
Take a 10-minute mindful pause: close your eyes, breathe, recall one lesson from the past, and picture how you'll apply it right away.
A short mindful bridge converts retrospective insight into present intention, living Kierkegaard's idea of understanding backward and acting forward.
Go for a 20-minute outdoor walk: every 5 minutes pause 30 seconds to recall one lesson from the past, then resume and choose a small concrete step to take.
Alternating memory and motion embodies Kierkegaard's contrast: retrospective understanding fuels forward-moving choices in the present.
How do you balance learning from the past with acting in the present?
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