Impossible Quote by Douglas Adams
“The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 1979
Things that seem impossible to fail can still break down, revealing hidden vulnerabilities and the need for contingency planning.
In simple terms: Even “impossible” things can go wrong.
Key Takeaway
Plan for unexpected failures.
Themes
risk management
uncertainty
contingency planning
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- software development
- project management
- personal finance
- travel planning
Key Concepts
probability
system design
failure analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can you implement for seemingly foolproof systems?
- How do you respond when an “impossible” failure occurs?
A Different Perspective
Over‑emphasis on impossibility may cause complacency.
![“Does God know he [exists]?" "Of course he does. Otherwise, you could not have asked the question, and I could not have answered.” quote by Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a21/douglas-adams-122_courses_does-god-know-he-exists-of-course-he-doe_26187.jpg)
