Animals Quote by Ronald Wright
“Like all creatures, humans have made their way in the world by trial and error. Unlike other creatures we have a presence so colossal that error is a luxury we can no longer afford. The world has grown too small to forgive us any big mistakes.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: A Short History of Nearly Everything, 1998
Human progress relies on trial and error, but modern scale makes mistakes costly and less tolerable.
In simple terms: We learn by trying, yet big errors now have huge consequences.
Key Takeaway
Minimize risky choices; plan carefully.
Themes
responsibility
consequences
progress
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
cautionary
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- policy making
- environmental planning
- corporate strategy
- personal finance
Key Concepts
Ecology
risk management
scale
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance innovation with caution?
- What systems can reduce costly mistakes?
A Different Perspective
Even small errors can cascade; vigilance is essential.
![“Soon after man shows up in new lands, the big game starts to go missing. […] A bad smell of extinction follows Home sapiens around the world. (37)” quote by Ronald Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ad5/ronald-wright-25212_around-the-world_soon-after-man-shows-up-in-new-lands-the_2147648.jpg)
