If one does not learn the canonical recitations, will he sit for his entire life not knowing the canonical recitations?

The Shaykh : Yes, and let it be what causes harm, because by scholarly consensus, limiting oneself to one recitation is permissible, not on the basis of obligation. So if performing the second recitation results in harm, there is no blame on not reciting it. Yes.
The student: ...?

The Shaykh : No ... from the perspective of expressing it in the past tense, the issue is resolved by expressing it in the past tense.