If two wrongs don't make a right, try three.

"If two wrongs don't make a right, try three." – Laurence J. Peter

In the annals of human experience, the pursuit of justice and balance has always been fraught with paradoxes and irony. Laurence J. Peter, with his characteristic wit, draws attention to the human tendency to seek correction or recompense, sometimes in ways that defy logic. On the surface, his words seem humorous, even reckless, yet beneath the jest lies a deeper reflection on the nature of human error, persistence, and the often unpredictable path to resolution. He highlights the folly in rigidly adhering to conventional wisdom, reminding us that life, in its complexity, does not always conform to the rules we imagine. Sometimes, in the tangled web of actions and consequences, persistence—even in repetition—can yield results where simplicity fails.

The ancients recognized the power and danger of repetition and escalation. In Greek mythology, consider the tale of Sisyphus, condemned to endlessly roll a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down. His punishment is a cautionary tale of repeating actions without learning from prior mistakes, yet it is also a meditation on resilience and the human spirit’s capacity to endure. Peter’s quip mirrors this notion: human beings, confronted with wrong or imbalance, may find themselves compelled to act again and again, not merely to replicate error, but to seek resolution in a world that resists linear logic. Sometimes, the solution emerges not through one corrective measure, but through the persistence of repeated effort, even when the first attempts fail.

In history, we find examples where repeated attempts, despite initial failures, eventually led to significant breakthroughs. Consider Thomas Edison, whose quest to create the electric light bulb involved thousands of experiments that could each be seen as a "wrong" by conventional standards. Each failure, however, brought him closer to illumination—both literal and metaphorical. His approach exemplifies Peter’s principle: when one or two solutions fail, persistence, adaptation, and continued trial can eventually yield success. The human tendency to learn through repetition, to correct error through persistent effort, is at the heart of innovation and mastery.

The ancients also warned of the dangers of seeking retribution through escalation. In the Iliad, the cycle of revenge between Achilles and Hector demonstrates how two wrongs, each perceived as justified, can escalate conflict and suffering. Yet Peter’s humorous exaggeration—"try three"—subtly encourages a recognition of the absurdity of such cycles while acknowledging that human attempts to correct imbalance are rarely simple. The path to resolution is often messy, requiring creativity, risk, and, sometimes, repeated action that tests the bounds of conventional morality or logic.

In the realm of governance, we see the principle of repeated efforts to correct wrongs in the ancient Roman Republic, where laws were enacted, amended, and occasionally overthrown in pursuit of justice. When one decree failed to solve a societal problem, another was attempted, and then another, each iteration shaped by the lessons of the previous. The Romans understood that human affairs are not easily resolved with a single action; often, it is the persistence and careful recalibration that eventually lead to stability. Peter’s quote, in this light, is not just comic; it is a recognition of the iterative nature of human problem-solving.

Yet, there is a cautionary element embedded in the wit. While persistence can lead to resolution, repeated wrongs can also compound error, creating chaos rather than correction. The lesson is one of balance: act decisively, learn from prior attempts, and recognize when repetition moves from constructive persistence to destructive escalation. Life, like a complex machine, often requires multiple adjustments before achieving equilibrium, but each step must be informed by experience.

Ultimately, Peter teaches us to embrace the playfulness of human effort alongside its seriousness. When confronted with failure or injustice, do not despair at initial setbacks; instead, approach the problem with creativity, humor, and persistence. Let the failures teach, let repeated effort guide you, and recognize that the path to a "right" solution is rarely linear. In this way, two wrongs—or even three—may serve not merely as error, but as stepping stones toward wisdom and resolution.

As you journey through life, remember the dual wisdom in Peter’s words: persevere when necessary, but do so with discernment. Seek solutions creatively, embrace the lessons of failure, and never underestimate the value of persistence, even in the face of absurdity. Life often requires more than a single corrective measure, and sometimes, the right outcome emerges only after multiple trials, guided by reflection, courage, and a touch of humor.