--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Better to assume the worst and be wrong…" description: "\"Better to assume the worst and be wrong than assume the best and be wrong.\" — Laurell K. Hamilton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/laurell-k-hamilton-199_assuming_better-to-assume-the-worst-and-be-wrong_2210005.png" --- # Better to assume the worst and be wrong than assume the… ![“Better to assume the worst and be wrong than assume the best and be wrong.” quote by Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/laurell-k-hamilton-199_assuming_better-to-assume-the-worst-and-be-wrong_2210005.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/laurell-k-hamilton-199_assuming_better-to-assume-the-worst-and-be-wrong_2210005.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/laurell-k-hamilton-199_assuming_better-to-assume-the-worst-and-be-wrong_2210005.png) > “Better to assume the worst and be wrong than assume the best and be wrong.” [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It is safer to expect negative outcomes, because being pleasantly surprised is less harmful than being misled by optimism. **In simple terms:** Expect the worst to avoid disappointment. Key Takeaway Plan for downside risks. Themes risk management optimism decision making Mood cautious pragmatic Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - financial planning - project management - personal relationships - health decisions Key Concepts cognitive bias probability assessment Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance caution with optimism? - When does caution become a barrier? A Different Perspective Overly pessimistic expectations can stifle opportunity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Assume The Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/assume-the-worst/) ## Related quotes > [I think a lot of fans immediately go, 'ugggh' when they hear that someone is doing a prequel or a remake, they sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-elizabeth-winstead/i-think-a-lot-of-fans-immediately-go-ugggh-when-they-hear-that/) [Mary Elizabeth Winstead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-elizabeth-winstead/) > [But you don’t have to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.” “You don’t have to assume the worst about everyone, either. The world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/but-you-don-t-have-to-give-everyone-the-benefit-of-the-doubt-you-don/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“my personal life philosophy is always to assume the worst, then you’re never disappointed”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicia-day/my-personal-life-philosophy-is-always-to-assume-the-worst-then-you-re/) [Felicia Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicia-day/) > [Assume the worst about people and you get the worst.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ha-joon-chang/assume-the-worst-about-people-and-you-get-the-worst/) [Ha-Joon Chang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ha-joon-chang/) > [“I had to assume the worst about people because I knew firsthand what horrible things they were capable of.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-cutler/i-had-to-assume-the-worst-about-people-because-i-knew-firsthand-what/) [Jessica Cutler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-cutler/) > [We all assume the worst the best we can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iron-wine/we-all-assume-the-worst-the-best-we-can/) [Iron & Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iron-wine/) > [Well, I can't say for sure, but as a Christian, I assume the worst.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ned-flanders/well-i-can-t-say-for-sure-but-as-a-christian-i-assume-the-worst/) [Ned Flanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ned-flanders/) > [“No,' I said, shooting him a look. 'But you don't have to give everyone the benefit of the doubt.' You don't have to assume…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/no-i-said-shooting-him-a-look-but-you-don-t-have-to-give-everyone-the/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [It seems wisest to assume the worst from the beginning...and let anything better come as a surprise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jules-verne/it-seems-wisest-to-assume-the-worst-from-the-beginning-and-let/) [Jules Verne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jules-verne/) > [“Do you always assume the worst of people? Or is it yourself you think so poorly of? Perhaps you might consider life is complicated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-hamilton/do-you-always-assume-the-worst-of-people-or-is-it-yourself-you-think/) [Rebecca Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-hamilton/) > [“When people feel nervous about a change they tend to assume the worst”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-hunt-davis/when-people-feel-nervous-about-a-change-they-tend-to-assume-the-worst/) [Ben Hunt-Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-hunt-davis/) > [Maybe we should always assume the worst.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/maybe-we-should-always-assume-the-worst/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [We have every reason to assume the worst.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/we-have-every-reason-to-assume-the-worst/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Assume the worst. About everybody. But don't let this poisoned outlook affect your job performance. Let it all roll off your back. Ignore it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/assume-the-worst-about-everybody-but-don-t-let-this-poisoned-outlook/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [“But why always think the worst of people? What would she be doing to herself if she adopted that attitude to life? It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-balogh/but-why-always-think-the-worst-of-people-what-would-she-be-doing-to/) [Mary Balogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-balogh/) ## More by Laurell K. Hamilton > [“Edward: I don't know whether to put my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la or find more of your guards so we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/edward-i-don-t-know-whether-to-put-my-fingers-in-my-ears-and-go-la-la/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [So many wonderful books to write, and not enough hours in the day. An embarrassment of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/so-many-wonderful-books-to-write-and-not-enough-hours-in-the-day-an/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Money doesn't spend in hell… The devil deals in a different coin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/money-doesn-t-spend-in-hell-the-devil-deals-in-a-different-coin/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [There comes a point when you either embrace who and what you are, or condemn yourself to be miserable all your days. Other people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/there-comes-a-point-when-you-either-embrace-who-and-what-you-are-or/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“I slowed, just a little, one to save energy, and one to let Russell catch up sooner. I took a big breath and prepared.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-slowed-just-a-little-one-to-save-energy-and-one-to-let-russell/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“It wasn't just my beast's hunger, but Jean-Claude's blood thirst and Richard's craving for flesh. It was all that and the ardeur running through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/it-wasn-t-just-my-beast-s-hunger-but-jean-claude-s-blood-thirst-and/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I know that look, Blake. You are a drowning woman, and the only way out is down the aisle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-know-that-look-blake-you-are-a-drowning-woman-and-the-only-way-out/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“Just another day in my life. This was one of those days when I thought that maybe a new life, a different life, wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/just-another-day-in-my-life-this-was-one-of-those-days-when-i-thought/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [“What is that old children’s rhyme, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me’? Anyone who says that doesn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/what-is-that-old-children-s-rhyme-sticks-and-stones-may-break-my/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [...you don't need ghosts to be haunted. Memory does that just fine without any supernatural help at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/you-don-t-need-ghosts-to-be-haunted-memory-does-that-just-fine/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [I hated missing the end of anything. I was always convinced that the bit I'd miss would be the best part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/i-hated-missing-the-end-of-anything-i-was-always-convinced-that-the/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [He made a small sigh, as he swallowed the first blood, then his mouth closed over my earlobe, mouth working at the wound, tongue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-made-a-small-sigh-as-he-swallowed-the-first-blood-then-his-mouth/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [He gave a small nod, and I smiled back, and that was it. He understood that I'd understood that he'd understood. It took us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/he-gave-a-small-nod-and-i-smiled-back-and-that-was-it-he-understood/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [ \[T\]hese last few days where I've moped around damn near depressed for real, because of people who do not exist. Not really. I can… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/t-hese-last-few-days-where-i-ve-moped-around-damn-near-depressed-for/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) [Explore all 921 Laurell K. Hamilton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## More Assuming quotes > [Some books are not read in the right way because they have skipped a stage of opinion, assume a crystallization of information in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/some-books-are-not-read-in-the-right-way-because-they-have-skipped-a/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/) James T. Conway > [Everyone assumes writers spend their time lounging around, writing and occasionally striking a pose whilst having a think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/everyone-assumes-writers-spend-their-time-lounging-around-writing-and/) [Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Assuming normal winter weather, we currently anticipate the coal markets to remain difficult through 2015; while we always strive to operate a full capacity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-craft/assuming-normal-winter-weather-we-currently-anticipate-the-coal/) [Joe Craft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-craft/) > [A state of mind is something that one assumes. It cannot be purchased, it must be created.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/a-state-of-mind-is-something-that-one-assumes-it-cannot-be-purchased/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [One must believe that every living thing whatsoever must change insensibly in its organization and in its form... One must therefore never expect to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-lamarck/one-must-believe-that-every-living-thing-whatsoever-must-change/) [Jean-Baptiste Lamarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-lamarck/) > [I think the biggest problem working with me would be that I'm an only child, and so I have an internal dialogue that goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/i-think-the-biggest-problem-working-with-me-would-be-that-i-m-an-only/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [It is worth noticing that those who assume an imposing demeanor and seek to pass themselves off for something beyond what they are, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-whately/it-is-worth-noticing-that-those-who-assume-an-imposing-demeanor-and/) [Richard Whately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-whately/) > [People just assume that if you're famous, you're in Hollywood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-fox/people-just-assume-that-if-you-re-famous-you-re-in-hollywood/) [Megan Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-fox/) > [The behavior of any bureaucratic organization can best be understood by assuming that it is controlled by a secret cabal of its enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/the-behavior-of-any-bureaucratic-organization-can-best-be-understood/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [Humans suffer from self-centred notions as to the nature of life. Humans assume that alien life forms should conform to standards that match our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-perry/humans-suffer-from-self-centred-notions-as-to-the-nature-of-life/) [Steve Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-perry/) > [We can use our art to become political, to become something you want to talk about. We make clothes, but we have the chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-rousteing/we-can-use-our-art-to-become-political-to-become-something-you-want/) [Olivier Rousteing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-rousteing/) > [Everyone seems to assume that the unscrupulous parts of journalism will be the frivolous or jocular parts. This is against all ethical experience. Jokes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/everyone-seems-to-assume-that-the-unscrupulous-parts-of-journalism/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) Browse all 2,452 Assuming quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Better to assume the worst and be wrong than assume the best and be wrong.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laurell K. 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