--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A pinch of probability is worth a pound…" description: "\"A pinch of probability is worth a pound of perhaps.\" — James Thurber" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87e/james-thurber-1534_pound_a-pinch-of-probability-is-worth-a-pound_2396655.png" --- # A pinch of probability is worth a pound of perhaps. ![“A pinch of probability is worth a pound of perhaps.” quote by James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87e/james-thurber-1534_pound_a-pinch-of-probability-is-worth-a-pound_2396655.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87e/james-thurber-1534_pound_a-pinch-of-probability-is-worth-a-pound_2396655.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87e/james-thurber-1534_pound_a-pinch-of-probability-is-worth-a-pound_2396655.png) > “A pinch of probability is worth a pound of perhaps.” [James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-thurber/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A small chance can outweigh a large uncertainty; probability can be more valuable than speculation. **In simple terms:** A tiny probability beats a big maybe. Key Takeaway Value concrete odds over vague possibilities. Themes probability decision making risk assessment Mood analytical thoughtful Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - investment choices - health decisions - planning Key Concepts statistics uncertainty value of information Questions to Reflect On - When do you trust a small probability? - How do you balance risk and hope? A Different Perspective Probability may be hard to estimate; overconfidence possible. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Probability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/probability/) ## Related quotes > [He that will not stoop for a pin will never be worth a pound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-pepys/he-that-will-not-stoop-for-a-pin-will-never-be-worth-a-pound/) [Samuel Pepys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-pepys/) > [An ounce of hypocracy is worth a pound of ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/an-ounce-of-hypocracy-is-worth-a-pound-of-ambition/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [An ounce of hypocrisy is worth a pound of ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/an-ounce-of-hypocrisy-is-worth-a-pound-of-ambition/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [An ounce of wit that is bought, Is worth a pound that is taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/an-ounce-of-wit-that-is-bought-is-worth-a-pound-that-is-taught/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [An ounce of image is worth a pound of performance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lee-roth/an-ounce-of-image-is-worth-a-pound-of-performance/) [David Lee Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lee-roth/) > [An ounce of behavior is worth a pound of words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanford-meisner/an-ounce-of-behavior-is-worth-a-pound-of-words/) [Sanford Meisner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanford-meisner/) > [There are no living beings who exert more power over others, pound for pound, than tiny babies and extremely thin moguls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-bing/there-are-no-living-beings-who-exert-more-power-over-others-pound-for/) [Stanley Bing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-bing/) > [A pound of worry won't pay an ounce of debt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ray/a-pound-of-worry-won-t-pay-an-ounce-of-debt/) [John Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ray/) > [Meat reared on land matures relatively quickly, and it takes only a few pounds of plants to produce a pound of meat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-earle/meat-reared-on-land-matures-relatively-quickly-and-it-takes-only-a/) [Sylvia Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-earle/) > [Pound notes are the best religion in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-behan/pound-notes-are-the-best-religion-in-the-world/) [Brendan Behan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-behan/) > [An ounce of performance is worth more than a pound of preachment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/an-ounce-of-performance-is-worth-more-than-a-pound-of-preachment/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [An ounce of blood is worth more than a pound of friendship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/an-ounce-of-blood-is-worth-more-than-a-pound-of-friendship/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ “\[...\] one louing howre For many yeares of sorrow can dispence: A dram of sweet is worth a pound of sowre” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/one-louing-howre-for-many-yeares-of-sorrow-can-dispence-a-dram-of/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [“An ounce of wisdom is worth more than a pound of knowledge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/an-ounce-of-wisdom-is-worth-more-than-a-pound-of-knowledge/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [An ounce of sequins can be worth a pound of home cooking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-vos-savant/an-ounce-of-sequins-can-be-worth-a-pound-of-home-cooking/) [Marilyn vos Savant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-vos-savant/) ## More by James Thurber > [ Salvador \[Dali\] was brought up in Spain, a country colored by the legends of Hannibal, El Greco, and Cervantes. 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That is to say, it is perfect: a tool ideally suited to its task. 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