Ah, what a dusty answer gets the soul when hot for certainties in this, our life.
—George Meredith (1828–1909) British Novelist, Poet, Critic
He who is certain he knows the ending of things when he is only beginning them is either extremely wise or extremely foolish; no matter which is true, he is certainly an unhappy man, for he has put a knife in the heart of wonder.
—Ted Williams (1918–2002) American Sportsperson
Education is the path from cocky ignorance to miserable uncertainty.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
There is nothing certain except the unforeseen.
—James Anthony Froude (1818–94) British Historian, Novelist, Biographer, Editor
To be positive: to be mistaken at the top of one’s voice.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Nothing can be more unphilosophical than to be positive or dogmatical on any subject.—When men are the most sure and arrogant, they are commonly the most mistaken and have there given reins to passion without that proper deliberation and suspense, which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities.
—David Hume (1711–76) Scottish Philosopher, Historian
There’s nothing certain in a man’s life except this: That he must lose it.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Playwright
What men want is not knowledge, but certainty.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
I tore myself away from the safe comfort of certainties through my love for truth — and truth rewarded me.
—Simone de Beauvoir (1908–86) French Philosopher, Writer, Feminist
In thinking, if a person begins with certainties, they shall end in doubts, but if they can begin with doubts, they will end in certainties.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing.
—Robert Burns (1759–96) Scottish Poet, Songwriter
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
A woman’s guess is much more accurate than a man’s certainty.
—Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) British Children’s Books Writer, Short story, Novelist, Poet, Journalist
Certainties are arrived at only on foot.
—Antonio Porchia (1885–1968) Italian Poet
Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
We are not certain, we are never certain. If we were we could reach some conclusions, and we could, at last, make others take us seriously.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
If you do know that here is one hand, we’ll grant you all the rest.
—Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951) Austrian-born British Philosopher
Inquiry is fatal to certainty.
—Will Durant (1885–1981) American Historian, Philosopher, Memoirist, Socialist
Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed up on the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand.
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) Irish Poet, Dramatist
Positiveness is a most absurd foible. If you are in the right, it lessens your triumph; if in the wrong, it adds shame to your defeat.
—Laurence Sterne (1713–68) Irish Anglican Novelist, Clergyman
It is the dull man who is always sure, and the sure man who is always dull.
—H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) American Journalist, Literary Critic
The one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is unchangeable or certain.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
There are only two things you HAVE TO do in life. You HAVE TO die. You HAVE TO live until you die. You make up all the rest.
—Unknown
I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart’s affections, and the truth of imagination.
—John Keats (1795–1821) English Poet
The more I see the less I know for sure.
—John Lennon (1940–80) British Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Activist
The present is the only reality and the only certainty.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
To be uncertain is to be uncomfortable, but to be certain is to be ridiculous.
—Chinese Proverb
One must verify or expel his doubts, and convert them into the certainty of Yes or No.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
When we are not sure, we are alive.
—Graham Greene (1904–91) British Novelist, Playwright, Short Story Writer