"I'm a grown man. You know, I've been in a lot of scrapes, but I never felt like I got so - there are probably a lot of things I should have done that I didn't do"

This quote by James Stockdale talks to the concept of regret and the repercussions of not doing something about it. He is reviewing his life and the experiences he has had, and is acknowledging that there are likely lots of things he must have done that he didn't. This might be analyzed as a reminder to take action and not let opportunities pass us by, as we may regret it later. It could also be translated as a suggestion to take obligation for our actions and to be conscious of the effects of our decisions. Stockdale is revealing the concept that we must learn from our errors and make every effort to make much better decisions in the future. Ultimately, this quote is a pointer to act and be mindful of the repercussions of our decisions.