--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Certainly I've never tried to imagine…" description: "\"Certainly I've never tried to imagine what the future will hold. It's a hopeless endeavor to try to do such a thing.\" — Don DeLillo" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/don-delillo-294_endeavor_certainly-i-ve-never-tried-to-imagine-wh_1114481.jpg" --- # Certainly I've never tried to imagine what the future will… ![“Certainly I've never tried to imagine what the future will hold. It's a hopeless endeavor to try to do such a thing.” quote by Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/don-delillo-294_endeavor_certainly-i-ve-never-tried-to-imagine-wh_1114481.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/don-delillo-294_endeavor_certainly-i-ve-never-tried-to-imagine-wh_1114481.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffe/don-delillo-294_endeavor_certainly-i-ve-never-tried-to-imagine-wh_1114481.jpg) > “Certainly I've never tried to imagine what the future will hold. It's a hopeless endeavor to try to do such a thing.” [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Imagining the future is futile because it is unknowable and beyond our control. **In simple terms:** Future is unknowable. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty. Themes uncertainty future imagination Mood reflective skeptical Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - career planning - long‑term investing - personal goal setting Key Concepts existentialism determinism Questions to Reflect On - How do you cope with uncertainty? - What role does imagination play in planning? A Different Perspective Future predictions can mislead decisions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Endeavor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/endeavor/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Future Hold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-hold-587714/) [Hopeless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hopeless/) [Hopeless Endeavor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hopeless-endeavor-2986540/) [Imagine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagine/) [Imagine Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagine-future-352150/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) ## Related quotes > [It being a remarkable fact in theatrical history, but one long since established beyond dispute, that it is a hopeless endeavor to attract people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/it-being-a-remarkable-fact-in-theatrical-history-but-one-long-since/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I am neither a sociologist nor a politician. 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