Chance Quote by Jacques Monod
“Among all the occurrences possible in the universe the a priori probability of any particular one of them verges upon zero. Yet the universe exists; particular events must take place in it, the probability of which (before the event) was infinitesimal. At the present time we have no legitimate grounds for either asserting or denying that life got off to but a single start on earth, and that, as a consequence, before it appeared its chances of occurring were next to nil. ... Destiny is written concurrently with the event, not prior to it.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Chance and Necessity by Jacques Monod, 1970
Even events with near‑zero odds can occur; existence proves improbable outcomes happen.
In simple terms: Rare events can still happen.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty and act despite low probabilities.
Themes
probability
existence
determinism
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
scientific
philosophical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- business risk assessment
- personal decision making
- creative ventures
Key Concepts
philosophy
physics
cosmology
Questions to Reflect On
- What risks are you avoiding because they seem unlikely?
- How can you prepare for improbable but impactful events?
A Different Perspective
Low probability does not guarantee impossibility; over‑reliance on odds can paralyze action.
![“The future of mankind is going to be decided within the next two generations, and there are two absolute requisites: We must aim at a stable-state society [with limited population growth] and the destruction of nuclear stockpiles. ... Otherwise I don't see how we can survive much later than 2050.” quote by Jacques Monod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8a7/jacques-monod-18055_aim_the-future-of-mankind-is-going-to-be-dec_738605.jpg)
