Past experience, if not forgotten, is a guide for the future.

This saying comes from Zhan Guo Ce (The Strategies of the States), a collection of stories of political strategists of the Warring States Period. The idea reminds people to draw lessons from history to guide on future actions.

The ancient Chinese valued the lessons of history. The rulers often drew on the successes and failures of previous dynasties to guide their current and future governance.

Speaking at a gathering marking the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World War II, held in September 2020, Xi Jinping said: History, if not forgotten, can serve as a guide for the future. The great spirit of resistance is an invaluable wealth of the Chinese people, which will continue to inspire the nation to overcome all kinds of hardships and dangers and strive for national rejuvenation.

前事不忘，后事之師

“前事不忘，后事之師” ，出自《戰國策》，意為過去的事情不能忘記，可以作為以后行事的借鑒。這一理念提醒人們要從歷史中吸收經驗教訓，以此作為今后的參照或借鑒。中國注重修史，就是通過總結前代治國理政的成敗得失來警示、啟發當代和后世。

2020年9月，習近平在紀念中國人民抗日戰爭暨世界反法西斯戰爭勝利75周年座談會上強調，“前事不忘，后事之師”，偉大抗戰精神是中國人民彌足珍貴的精神財富，將永遠激勵中國人民克服一切艱難險阻、為實現中華民族偉大復興而奮斗。