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It is in the very nature of a beginning to carry with…

“It is in the very nature of a beginning to carry with itself a measure of complete arbitrariness. Not only is it not bound into a reliable chain of cause and effect, a chain in which each effect immediately turns into the cause for future developments, the beginning has, as it were, nothing…” quote by Hannah Arendt
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“It is in the very nature of a beginning to carry with itself a measure of complete arbitrariness. Not only is it not bound into a reliable chain of cause and effect, a chain in which each effect immediately turns into the cause for future developments, the beginning has, as it were, nothing whatever to hold on to; it is as though it came out of nowhere in either time or space.”

Hannah Arendt

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Beginnings are inherently unpredictable and lack causal continuity, making them seem to arise from nowhere.

In simple terms: Starts are random and ungrounded.

Key Takeaway

Embrace uncertainty at the start.

Themes

uncertainty beginnings causality

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • starting a project
  • launching a startup
  • first day of school
  • initial research phase

Key Concepts

philosophy existentialism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you handle unpredictability in new ventures?
  • What assumptions can you test early?
A Different Perspective

Beginnings may still be shaped by hidden variables.

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