Consolation Quote by Arthur C. Clarke
“Floyd could imagine a dozen things that could go wrong; it was little consolation that it was always the thirteenth that actually happened.”
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Nine Billion Names of God” (collection), 1960
The narrator notes that despite anticipating many problems, the unexpected thirteenth mishap is the one that truly matters.
In simple terms: Unexpected events often have the biggest impact.
Key Takeaway
Prepare for the unforeseen.
Themes
probability
unexpected
risk
planning
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
advisory
When to use this quote
- space missions
- project management
- daily life
Key Concepts
Chaos theory
human bias
uncertainty
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance preparation with flexibility?
- What unexpected risks have you faced?
A Different Perspective
Over‑preparing can cause paralysis.
