Absolute certainty Quote by Jack Vance
“There are no absolute certainties in this universe. A man must try to whip order into a yelping pack of probabilities, and uniform success is impossible.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Book of Dreams by Jack Vance, 1975
Life is inherently uncertain; we strive to impose order on chaotic probabilities, but perfect control is unattainable.
In simple terms: Uncertainty is inevitable; we try to organize it.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty and focus on adaptable strategies.
Themes
uncertainty
order
human effort
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- business planning
- personal decision making
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
probability
control
limitations
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance desire for control with acceptance of randomness?
- What strategies help you cope with inevitable uncertainty?
A Different Perspective
Even with effort, outcomes remain probabilistic and can surprise us.
![“We do know, with absolute certainty, that [Saddam] is using his procurement system to acquire the equipment he needs in order to enrich uranium to build a nuclear weapon.” quote by Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb4/dick-cheney-1810_absolute-certainty_we-do-know-with-absolute-certainty-that_363969.jpg)
