Wisdom sometimes means recognizing that two similar situations require opposite responses.

Two situations can look almost identical and require opposite responses, because the relevant difference is not in the surface features. The same words from two people, the same setback at two stages, the same request in two contexts. Pattern matching gets you close and then quietly betrays you at exactly these points.

Before applying what worked last time, ask what is different underneath. Name one difference explicitly. That question is most of what separates experience from repetition.