Probability is a kind of penance, which God made…
“Probability is a kind of penance, which God made, suitable, I presume to that state of mediocrity and probationership he has been pleased to place us in here; wherein, to check our over-confidence and presumption, we might, by every day's experience, be made sensible of our short-sightedness, and liableness to error.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that human judgment is limited and prone to error, urging humility and learning from daily experience.
In simple terms: Human judgment is flawed; we must stay humble and learn.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and learn from mistakes.
Themes
humility
knowledge
error
confidence
learning
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- decision making
- education
- scientific inquiry
- leadership
Key Concepts
epistemology
human fallibility
self‑assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you check your assumptions daily?
- What practices help you stay humble?
A Different Perspective
It may underestimate the role of expertise and systematic study in reducing error.