Faith … acts promptly and boldly on the occasion, on slender evidence.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Theologian, Poet
Free man is by necessity insecure; thinking man by necessity uncertain.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
There is no weariness like that which rises from doubting—from the perpetual jogging of unfixed reason.—The torment of suspense is very great; but as soon as the wavering, perplexed mind begins to determine, be the determination which way so ever it may be, it will find itself at ease.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
A reasonable probability is the only certainty.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
We need to practice acting in spite of fear, in spite of doubt, in spite of worry, in spite of uncertainty, in spite of inconvenience, in spite of discomfort, and even to practice acting when we’re not in the mood to act.
—T. Harv Eker (b.1954) American Motivational Speaker, Lecturer, Author
He is no wise man who will quit a certainty for an uncertainty.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
When nothing is sure, everything is possible.
—Margaret Drabble (b.1939) English Novelist, Biographer, Critic, Short Story Writer
Doubt indulged soon becomes doubt realized.
—Frances Ridley Havergal (1836–79) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
To believe with certainty, we must begin by doubting.
—Polish Proverb
Doubt breeds doubt.
—Franz Grillparzer (1791–1872) Austrian Dramatist, Playwright
The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
All that lies between the cradle and the grave is uncertain.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
We can be absolutely certain only about things we do not understand.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
There’s nothing certain in a man’s life except this: That he must lose it.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Playwright
To be uncertain is to be uncomfortable, but to be certain is to be ridiculous.
—Chinese Proverb
There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing.
—Robert Burns (1759–96) Scottish Poet, Songwriter
Every year, if not every day, we have to wager our salvation upon some prophecy based upon imperfect knowledge.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
In these matters the only certainty is that nothing is certain.
—Pliny the Elder (23–79CE) Roman Statesman, Scholar
What Shakespeare says of doubts is equally true of vacillation and uncertainty of purpose, “that they make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.”‘
—Charles Simmons (1924–2017) American Editor, Novelist
Doubts and mistrust are the mere panic of timid imagination, which the steadfast heart will conquer, and the large mind transcend.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Doubt is not a pleasant mental state, but certainty is a ridiculous one.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
There is no advancement to him who stands trembling because he cannot see the end from the beginning.
—E. J. Klemme American Educator
A free press can of course be good or bad, but, most certainly, without freedom it will never be anything but bad… . Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better, whereas enslavement is a certainty of the worse.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
The greatest loss of time is delay and expectation, which depend upon the future. We let go the present, which we have in our power, and look forward to that which depends upon chance, and so relinquish a certainty for an uncertainty.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides. Accept life, and you must accept regret.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
When we are not sure, we are alive.
—Graham Greene (1904–91) British Novelist, Playwright, Short Story Writer
Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
One doesn’t discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.
—Andre Gide (1869–1951) French Novelist
Education is the path from cocky ignorance to miserable uncertainty.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty; not knowing what comes next.
—Ursula K. Le Guin (b.1929) American Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer
There is only one thing about which I am certain, and this is that there is very little about which one can be certain.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
So what do we do? Anything. Something. So long as we just don’t sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we’ve satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late.
—Lee Iacocca (1924–2019) American Businessperson
When one devotes oneself to meditation, mental burdens, unnecessary worries, and wandering thoughts drop off one by one; life seems to run smoothly and pleasantly. A student may now depend on intuition to make decisions. As one acts on intuition, second thought, with its dualism, doubt and hesitation, does not arise.
—Nyogen Senzaki (1876–1958) Japanese Buddhist Monk
Without the element of uncertainty, the bringing off of even, the greatest business triumph would be dull, routine, and eminently unsatisfying.
—J. Paul Getty (1892–1976) American Business Person, Art Collector, Philanthropist
Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing.
—William Congreve (1670–1729) English Playwright, Poet
For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.
—Vincent van Gogh (1853–90) Dutch Painter
I think the worst thing this nation could do for humanity would be to leave any uncertainty as to our will, our purpose and our capacity to carry out our purpose.
—Hubert Humphrey (1911–78) American Head of State, Politician
Uncertainty ! fell demon of our fears! The human soul that can support despair, supports not thee.
—David Mallet (c.1705–1765) Scottish Poet, Dramatist
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
No great deed is done by falterers who ask for certainty.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
In contemplation, if a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties. They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Self-distrust is the cause of most of our failures.—In the assurance of strength there is strength; and they are the weakest, however strong, who have no faith in themselves or their powers.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
The one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is unchangeable or certain.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
Ah, what a dusty answer gets the soul when hot for certainties in this, our life.
—George Meredith (1828–1909) British Novelist, Poet, Critic
When I was young I was sure of everything; in a few years, having been mistaken a thousand times, I was not half so sure of most things as I was before; at present, I am hardly sure of anything but what God has revealed.
—John Wesley (1703–91) British Methodist Religious Leader, Preacher, Theologian
Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing, through the overtaking and possessing of a wish discovers the folly of the chase.
—William Congreve (1670–1729) English Playwright, Poet
There is a time for departure, even when there’s no certain place to go.
—Tennessee Williams (1911–83) American Playwright
Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
Uncertainty is the refuge of hope.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic