That's interesting, because last night I just watched the "Fog of War", the documentary about Robert McNamara, and he makes that exact quote. Apparently this idea applies to war as well. When I read this article I was surprised by the coincidence.
BTW I strongly recommend that film -- it was fascinating in so many ways.
It's also quoted in in the book Vagabonding by Rolf Potts. After quitting my job and traveling around SE Asia for 2 months, its amazing how that quote describes exactly how you feel when you return home.
So much of what you see is exactly the same - the places you used to hang out at, your family and friends - but the lens through which you look at it is completely different.
"And the end of all our exploring - Will be to arrive where we started - And know the place for the first time."