The wise respond.
The foolish react.
The wise think & then act.
The foolish act and then regret.
Realize and understand the difference between reaction and response. Both reaction and response require an action and are instigated by a situation. Still the difference between them is profound. Reaction is impulsive, an immediate behavioral response that comes from emotions and not intellect. Response happens when we think, analyze a situation and then reflect upon it. Therefore response comes from intellect. Reaction is not a choice. But response is a choice. This is essentially what differentiates the wise from the unwise.
The wise succeed because instead of reacting they respond. They don't regret because all their actions are well thought of. But the foolish ones react impulsively and regret it throughout their life.