In these matters the only certainty is that nothing is certain.
—Pliny the Elder (23–79CE) Roman Statesman, Scholar
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
When one admits that nothing is certain one must, I think, also admit that some things are much more nearly certain than others.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social 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
There’s nothing certain in a man’s life except this: That he must lose it.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Playwright
When in doubt, do it.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
Faith … acts promptly and boldly on the occasion, on slender evidence.
—John Henry Newman (1801–90) British Theologian, Poet
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
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
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
There is no advancement to him who stands trembling because he cannot see the end from the beginning.
—E. J. Klemme American Educator
There is no such uncertainty as a sure thing.
—Robert Burns (1759–96) Scottish Poet, Songwriter
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
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
Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
He is no wise man who will quit a certainty for an uncertainty.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
There is a time for departure, even when there’s no certain place to go.
—Tennessee Williams (1911–83) American Playwright
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
We can be absolutely certain only about things we do not understand.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Certitude is not the test of certainty. We have been cocksure of many things that were not so.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
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
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
Ah, what a dusty answer gets the soul when hot for certainties in this, our life.
—George Meredith (1828–1909) British Novelist, Poet, Critic
All business proceeds on beliefs, or judgments of probabilities, and not on certainties.
—Charles William Eliot (1834–1926) American Educationalist
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
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
Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Doubt indulged soon becomes doubt realized.
—Frances Ridley Havergal (1836–79) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
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
The longing for certainty … is in every human mind. But certainty is generally illusion.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist