131 Quote by Nick Flynn
““The South African artist William Kentridge speaks to this type of certainty: 'To say that one needs art, or politics, that incorporate ambiguity and contradiction is not to say that one then stops recognizing and condemning things as evil. However, it might stop one being so utterly convinced of the certainty of one's own solutions. There needs to be a strong understanding of fallibility and how the very act of certainty or authoritativeness can bring disasters.' The outcome of the current crisis is already determined.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 2023
Certainty can blind us; embracing ambiguity and fallibility prevents dogma and disaster.
In simple terms: Being certain can be dangerous; accept uncertainty.
Key Takeaway
Question your assumptions and stay open to doubt.
Themes
certainty
ambiguity
fallibility
politics
art
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- artistic creation
- decision making
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
critical thinking
humility
complexity
Questions to Reflect On
- What certainties do you hold?
- How can ambiguity improve your decisions?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on doubt may paralyze action.
