Contrary Quote by Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton
“Unseen hands delay The coming of what oft seems close in ken, And, contrary, the moment, when we say "'Twill never come!" comes on us even then.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Coming of the Future", 1865
Expectations can be thwarted when we dismiss possibilities, yet those very dismissals may cause the events we feared.
In simple terms: Dismissing possibilities can bring them about.
Key Takeaway
Beware of self‑fulfilling prophecies.
Themes
expectation
fate
paradox
Mood
cautious
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- career planning
- relationship expectations
- financial forecasts
- political predictions
Key Concepts
self‑fulfilling prophecy
uncertainty
Questions to Reflect On
- What outcomes have you dismissed?
- How might your expectations shape reality?
A Different Perspective
Denial can also protect against anxiety.
