---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we hand over a planet with an…"
description: "\"If we hand over a planet with an uncertain future, history will not forgive us.\" — Miroslav Lajcak"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/miroslav-lajcak-12841_future_if-we-hand-over-a-planet-with-an-uncerta_2008509.jpg"
---

#  If we hand over a planet with an uncertain future, history…

![“If we hand over a planet with an uncertain future, history will not forgive us.” quote by Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/miroslav-lajcak-12841_future_if-we-hand-over-a-planet-with-an-uncerta_2008509.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/miroslav-lajcak-12841_future_if-we-hand-over-a-planet-with-an-uncerta_2008509.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/miroslav-lajcak-12841_future_if-we-hand-over-a-planet-with-an-uncerta_2008509.jpg)

> “If we hand over a planet with an uncertain future, history will not forgive us.”

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Neglecting planetary stewardship will be judged harshly by future generations.

**In simple terms:** Protect the planet now.

Key Takeaway

Act responsibly for future.

Themes

environment responsibility legacy

Mood

concerned hopeful

Type

political ethical

When to use this quote

- policy making
- corporate strategy
- community activism
- education programs

Key Concepts

sustainability intergenerational ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- What policies can balance growth and sustainability?
- How can individuals influence planetary outcomes?

A Different Perspective

Economic pressures may conflict with environmental action.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Future History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-history-1025936/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [History Forgive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-forgive-324135/) [Planet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planet/) [Planet Uncertain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planet-uncertain-3572938/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Uncertain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertain/) [Uncertain future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertain-future/) [Us](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/us/) [Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/will/)

## Related quotes

> [Every man's life lies within the present; for the past is spent and done with, and the future is uncertain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/every-man-s-life-lies-within-the-present-for-the-past-is-spent-and/)

[Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/)

> [Peril, loneliness, an uncertain future, are not oppressive evils, so long as the frame is healthy and the faculties are employed; so long, especially,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/peril-loneliness-an-uncertain-future-are-not-oppressive-evils-so-long/)

[Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/)

> [“I think we have an uncertain future ahead of us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-m-harrell/i-think-we-have-an-uncertain-future-ahead-of-us/)

[Eve M. Harrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-m-harrell/)

> [You can't blow an uncertain trumpet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-hesburgh/you-can-t-blow-an-uncertain-trumpet/)

[Theodore Hesburgh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-hesburgh/)

> [We live in changing times, and many people experience the challenges that come with it. In the face of uncertain futures, no one will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ai-weiwei/we-live-in-changing-times-and-many-people-experience-the-challenges/)

[Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ai-weiwei/)

> [I like to define biology as the history of the earth and all its life - past, present, and future. To understand biology is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-carson/i-like-to-define-biology-as-the-history-of-the-earth-and-all-its-life-2/)

[Rachel Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-carson/)

> [The future is uncertain... but this uncertainty is at the very heart of human creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilya-prigogine/the-future-is-uncertain-but-this-uncertainty-is-at-the-very-heart-of/)

[Ilya Prigogine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilya-prigogine/)

> [Religions often partake of the myth of progress that shields us from the terrors of an uncertain future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/religions-often-partake-of-the-myth-of-progress-that-shields-us-from/)

[Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/)

> [Auto repair, piloting, skiing, perhaps even management: these are skills that yield to application, hard work, and native talent. But forecasting an uncertain future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-surowiecki/auto-repair-piloting-skiing-perhaps-even-management-these-are-skills/)

[James Surowiecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-surowiecki/)

> [Religion often partakes of the myth of progress that shields us from the terrors of an uncertain future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/religion-often-partakes-of-the-myth-of-progress-that-shields-us-from/)

[Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/)

> [When the uncertain future becomes the past, the past in turn becomes uncertain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/when-the-uncertain-future-becomes-the-past-the-past-in-turn-becomes/)

[Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/)

> [If we are wrong, we will have destroyed a threat that, at its least is responsible for inhuman carnage and suffering. That is something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/if-we-are-wrong-we-will-have-destroyed-a-threat-that-at-its-least-is/)

[Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/)

> [“this is the crime of which I accuse my country and my countrymen, and for which neither I nor time nor history will ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/this-is-the-crime-of-which-i-accuse-my-country-and-my-countrymen-and/)

[James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/)

> [Can we be sure that terrorism and WMD will join together? If we are wrong, we will have destroyed a threat that, at its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-blair/can-we-be-sure-that-terrorism-and-wmd-will-join-together-if-we-are/)

[Tony Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-blair/)

> [If somebody tells you 'History will never forgive you,' just laugh at him! Because when the history comes, you won't be here! The threat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-somebody-tells-you-history-will-never-forgive-you-just-laugh-at/)

[Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

## More by Miroslav Lajcak

> [The U.N. has brought peace and order to many places around the world. However, terrorism, violent extremism, violations of human rights, natural disasters caused…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/the-u-n-has-brought-peace-and-order-to-many-places-around-the-world/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [I'm a career diplomat. I spent 30 years as a diplomat, out of which seven years as foreign minister. I've always believed in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/i-m-a-career-diplomat-i-spent-30-years-as-a-diplomat-out-of-which/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [Sustaining Peace is happening. But it is the exception - not the norm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/sustaining-peace-is-happening-but-it-is-the-exception-not-the-norm/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [Real political will for change is achieved when the risks associated with the necessary political and structural changes are articulated at the planning stages,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/real-political-will-for-change-is-achieved-when-the-risks-associated/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [The United Nations has an irreplaceable role in dealing with global issues. While other international bodies play important roles, the U.N. is the only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/the-united-nations-has-an-irreplaceable-role-in-dealing-with-global/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [Indeed, it is a common goal to create a stronger United Nations able to meet the multitude of expectations placed upon it. To that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/indeed-it-is-a-common-goal-to-create-a-stronger-united-nations-able/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [People are afraid of what they don't know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/people-are-afraid-of-what-they-don-t-know/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [I really don't want to live in a world where the U.N. will not be relevant, will not be seen as the enterprise we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/i-really-don-t-want-to-live-in-a-world-where-the-u-n-will-not-be/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [If we want the next generation to be born into a better world, we only have one option. And that is strong multilateralism, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/if-we-want-the-next-generation-to-be-born-into-a-better-world-we-only/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [We will continue our work on the Global Compact for safe, orderly, and regular migration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/we-will-continue-our-work-on-the-global-compact-for-safe-orderly-and/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [South Sudan has faced numerous challenges, which include professionalising the security sector, establishing ministries and parliamentary structures with the appropriate capacity for policy making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/south-sudan-has-faced-numerous-challenges-which-include/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [It is far easier and more effective - and not just in terms of cost - to prevent conventional conflicts than to intervene after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/it-is-far-easier-and-more-effective-and-not-just-in-terms-of-cost-to/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [Human rights represent absolute and universal values. They should be protected by all means we have at our disposal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/human-rights-represent-absolute-and-universal-values-they-should-be/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [I'm certainly not a hard liner, that's clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/i-m-certainly-not-a-hard-liner-that-s-clear/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

> [The United Nations should serve as a forum to address our common challenges. And it must also be a space to generate solutions for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/the-united-nations-should-serve-as-a-forum-to-address-our-common/)

[Miroslav Lajcak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

[Explore all 53 Miroslav Lajcak quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/)

## More Future quotes

> [“The future is only an indifferent void no one cares about, but the past is filled with life, and its countenance is irritating, repellent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/the-future-is-only-an-indifferent-void-no-one-cares-about-but-the/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [Getting on the cover of TIME guarantees the existence of opposition in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/getting-on-the-cover-of-time-guarantees-the-existence-of-opposition/)

[John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/)

> [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/)

[Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/)

> [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If you can connect people, you can create the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-heiferman/if-you-can-connect-people-you-can-create-the-future/)

[Scott Heiferman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-heiferman/)

> [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/)

[Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/)

> [“We have no idea, now, of who or what the inhabitants of our future might be. In that sense, we have no future. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gibson/we-have-no-idea-now-of-who-or-what-the-inhabitants-of-our-future/)

[William Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gibson/)

> [“You are destiny for greatness. Your future is in the hands of the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-destiny-for-greatness-your-future-is-in-the-hands-of-the-lord/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [I'm just always looking forwards. I spend very little time, looking backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/i-m-just-always-looking-forwards-i-spend-very-little-time-looking/)

[Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/)

> [Football is my passion, and who knows where I will play in the future - you cannot foresee that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edinson-cavani/football-is-my-passion-and-who-knows-where-i-will-play-in-the-future/)

[Edinson Cavani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edinson-cavani/)

> [When I was 17, I broke up with my future wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-allen/when-i-was-17-i-broke-up-with-my-future-wife/)

[Kris Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-allen/)

> [I think everybody in the future has stopped talking to each other and we all just use emojis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarlett-moffatt/i-think-everybody-in-the-future-has-stopped-talking-to-each-other-and/)

[Scarlett Moffatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarlett-moffatt/)

> [When you continue to dwell on the past, there's no chance for a future. History repeats itself, thus, it's ok to LOOK back at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-continue-to-dwell-on-the-past-there-s-no-chance-for-a-future/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/)

[John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/)

> [Starting a new job can be nerve-racking , but it's also exciting. You're embarking on a new future, positioning yourself to write a fresh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adena-friedman/starting-a-new-job-can-be-nerve-racking-but-it-s-also-exciting-you-re/)

[Adena Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adena-friedman/)

[Browse all 12,349 Future quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If we hand over a planet with an uncertain future, history will not forgive us.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Miroslav Lajcak"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/if-we-hand-over-a-planet-with-an-uncertain-future-history-will-not/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Future"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/if-we-hand-over-a-planet-with-an-uncertain-future-history-will-not/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/miroslav-lajcak-12841_future_if-we-hand-over-a-planet-with-an-uncerta_2008509.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/miroslav-lajcak-12841_future_if-we-hand-over-a-planet-with-an-uncerta_2008509.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/miroslav-lajcak-12841_future_if-we-hand-over-a-planet-with-an-uncerta_2008509.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If we hand over a planet with an uncertain future, history will not forgive us.” — Miroslav Lajcak",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Miroslav Lajcak",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-lajcak/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If we hand over a planet...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/if-we-hand-over-a-planet-with-an-uncertain-future-history-will-not/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-lajcak/if-we-hand-over-a-planet-with-an-uncertain-future-history-will-not/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
