Adversity Quote by William Deresiewicz
“We proceed by doubt, by trial and error, by resisting the impulse to lunge after certainty.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On Learning and Uncertainty, 2014
Progress comes from questioning, experimenting, and resisting the urge to accept easy answers.
In simple terms: Embrace doubt and trial.
Key Takeaway
Question, test, resist certainty.
Themes
learning
uncertainty
growth
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- creative projects
- problem solving
- personal development
Key Concepts
critical thinking
experimentation
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance doubt with action?
- When is certainty useful?
A Different Perspective
Too much doubt can stall decision‑making.
![“[Jane] Austen was not a novelist for nothing: she knew that our stories are what make us human, and that listening to someone else's stories -- entering into their feelings, validating their experiences -- is the highest way of acknowledging their humanity, the sweetest form of usefulness.” quote by William Deresiewicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2bb/william-deresiewicz-15471_jane-austen_jane-austen-was-not-a-novelist-for-nothi_62623.jpg)
