Unrest and uncertainty, doubt are our lot.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
A person who doubts himself is like a man who would enlist in the ranks of his enemies and bear arms against himself. He makes his failure certain by himself being the first person to be convinced of it.
—Alexandre Dumas pere (1802–1870) French Novelist, Playwright
Hesitation increases in relation to risk in equal proportion to age.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
There is no advancement to him who stands trembling because he cannot see the end from the beginning.
—E. J. Klemme American Educator
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
Any coward can fight a battle when he’s sure of winning.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Ah, what a dusty answer gets the soul when hot for certainties in this, our life.
—George Meredith (1828–1909) British Novelist, Poet, Critic
We sail within a vast sphere, ever drifting in uncertainty, driven from end to end.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
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
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
The future is no more uncertain than the present.
—Walt Whitman (1819–92) American Poet, Essayist, Journalist, American, Poet, Essayist, Journalist
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
In these matters the only certainty is that nothing is certain.
—Pliny the Elder (23–79CE) Roman Statesman, Scholar
When in doubt, do it.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
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
Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
The unknown is what it is. And to be frightened of it is what sends everybody scurrying around chasing dreams, illusions, wars peace, love, hate, all that. Unknown is what it is. Accept that it’s unknown, and it’s plain sailing.
—John Lennon (1940–80) British Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Activist
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
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
Uncertainty ! fell demon of our fears! The human soul that can support despair, supports not thee.
—David Mallet (c.1705–1765) Scottish Poet, Dramatist
Doubt indulged soon becomes doubt realized.
—Frances Ridley Havergal (1836–79) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
To be uncertain is to be uncomfortable, but to be certain is to be ridiculous.
—Chinese Proverb
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
When nothing is sure, everything is possible.
—Margaret Drabble (b.1939) English Novelist, Biographer, Critic, Short Story Writer
Faith … acts promptly and boldly on the occasion, on slender evidence.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Theologian, Poet
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
There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing.
—Robert Burns (1759–96) Scottish Poet, Songwriter
If we insist on being as sure as is conceivable … we must be content to creep along the ground, and can never soar.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Theologian, Poet
Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
To believe with certainty, we must begin by doubting.
—Polish Proverb
Uncertainty is the refuge of hope.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
The one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is unchangeable or certain.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
Free man is by necessity insecure; thinking man by necessity uncertain.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
When the mind is in a state of uncertainty the smallest impulse directs it to either side.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
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
There is one thing certain, namely, that we can have nothing certain; therefore it is not certain that we can have nothing certain.
—Samuel Butler
Many live in dread of what is coming. Why should we? The unknown puts adventure into life … The unexpected around the corner gives a sense of anticipation and surprise. Thank God for the unknown future.
—E. Stanley Jones (1884–1973) American Methodist Priest, Theologian
To teach how to live with uncertainty, yet without being paralyzed by hesitation, is perhaps the chief thing that philosophy can do.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
A reasonable probability is the only certainty.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
A bitter and perplexed, “What shall I do?” is worse to man than worst necessity.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
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
Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing.
—William Congreve (1670–1729) English Playwright, Poet
When we are not sure, we are alive.
—Graham Greene (1904–91) British Novelist, Playwright, Short Story Writer
The longing for certainty … is in every human mind. But certainty is generally illusion.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
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
I’m delighted that the future is unsure. That’s the way it should be.
—William Sloane Coffin (1924–2006) American Presbyterian Clergyman, Peace Activist
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