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But hope is not about what we expect. It is an embrace of…

“But hope is not about what we expect. It is an embrace of the essential unknowability of the world, of the breaks with the present, the surprises. Or perhaps studying the record more carefully leads us to expect miracles - not when and where we expect them, but to expect to be astonished, to…” quote by Rebecca Solnit
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““But hope is not about what we expect. It is an embrace of the essential unknowability of the world, of the breaks with the present, the surprises. Or perhaps studying the record more carefully leads us to expect miracles - not when and where we expect them, but to expect to be astonished, to expect that we don't know. And this is grounds to act.””

Rebecca Solnit

About This Quote

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

Hope embraces uncertainty, expecting surprise and astonishment, motivating action beyond predictable outcomes.

In simple terms: Hope means expecting the unknown.

Key Takeaway

Act with openness to unexpected possibilities.

Themes

hope uncertainty expectation action

Mood

inspirational reflective

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

  • personal growth
  • creative projects
  • social activism
  • risk taking

Key Concepts

philosophy psychology motivation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we turn hope into concrete steps?
  • What role does surprise play in innovation?
A Different Perspective

Hope can become passive wishful thinking.

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