Certainty Quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes
“The longing for certainty... is in every human mind. But certainty is generally illusion.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Lecture, 1885, Boston
Human desire for absolute certainty is a universal illusion; we must accept uncertainty as part of life.
In simple terms: We all want certainty, but it's an illusion.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty and stay adaptable.
Themes
certainty
human nature
illusion
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- decision making
- scientific research
- personal growth
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does uncertainty affect your choices?
- What can you learn from embracing the unknown?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on certainty can lead to fear of change.
![“[I]f in other sciences we should arrive at certainty without doubt and truth without error, it behooves us to place the foundations of knowledge in mathematics, in so far as disposed through it we are able to reach certainty in other sciences and truth by the exclusion of error.” quote by Roger Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d13/roger-bacon-15067_able_i-f-in-other-sciences-we-should-arrive-a_24209.jpg)