Hindsight is always 20 20?

Question

what is the real meaning of that quote and is it true?

Answer 1

Basically, "hindsight is always 20/20" means that when you look back on something that's already happened, your eyesight is perfect. For example, let's say you were reading a mystery book. The first time you read it, you were (probably) following along as the detective (or whoever was solving the mystery) figured out the clues. At times, the detective would solve the clues faster than you would; at other times, you would figure out something before s/he did. Anyway, once you reach the end of the book, you know all the details of the mystery. So if you ever read the book again, you'll see how all the clues play together, and you might even spot clues discreetly hidden by the author that the detective didn't notice. This is all because you already know the ending, so you know what to look for.

For the most part, it is true. But you have to remember that not everyone will have the same kind of hindsight because not everyone will have seen the same things you have. And of course, there are people who don't really know how to use hindsight -- probably because they don't know what to look for.

Answer 2

Meaning - when you look back at something that happened in the past, it is much easier to see how something could have been done differently or prevented - usually because you have more of the facts after the event, therefore you have a clearer vision (20/20) of the event.

No it is not always true. There are many instances, especially when it involves a violent crime or activities in war, that hindsight is not always 20/20 because particulars of the event were quickly changing.  And because violence is involved, memories of the event may be unclear or selective in the retelling.  Therefore, all of the facts of the event may never be known.