# Quotes about uncertainty

- Quotes: 38
- Authors: 27
- Broader topic: [Quotes about doubt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/doubt.md)
- Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty
- JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.json

## Quotes

> It is not certain that everything is uncertain.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/it-is-not-certain.md)

Topics: [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> In this century there’s been much stress placed not upon what we know but on knowing that our methods are themselves questionable—our Song of Songs is the Uncertainty Principle.

[Donald Barthelme](https://www.leafyquotes.com/donald-barthelme.md) · [Not-Knowing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/donald-barthelme/not-knowing.md) · p. 285 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/donald-barthelme/not-knowing/in-this-century.md)

Topics: [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> I make no vows. I take my chance. ... It means that I fear certainty as you fear uncertainty. It means that nothing is certain but uncertainty. If I bind the future I bind my will. If I bind my will I strangle creation.

[George Bernard Shaw](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw.md) · [Back to Methuselah](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/back-to-methuselah.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-bernard-shaw/back-to-methuselah/i-make-no-vows.md)

Topics: [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> It is not so much that there are ironies of history, it is that history itself is ironic. It is not that there are no certainties, it is that it is an absolute certainty that there are no certainties. It is not only true that the test of knowledge is an acute and cultivated awareness of how little one knows (as Socrates knew so well), it is true that the unbounded areas and fields of one’s ignorance are now expanding in such a way, and at such a velocity, as to make the contemplation of them almost fantastically beautiful.

[Christopher Hitchens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens.md) · [Hitch 22](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/hitch-22.md) · p. 420 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/hitch-22/it-is-not.md)

Topics: [history](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/history.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> I don't know how people live when they know exactly what's going to happen to them each day. (Part One, 7th section)

[Jean Rhys](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-rhys.md) · [Voyage in the Dark](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-rhys/voyage-in-the-dark.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-rhys/voyage-in-the-dark/i-dont-know.md)

Topics: [the future](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-future.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> He told himself that, but he was getting less and less persuasive. Not knowing was the worst thing. The second-worst thing as being chased by a bunch of top-of-the-line warships that really wanted to kill you.

[James S. A. Corey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey.md) · [Nemesis Games](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/nemesis-games.md) · p. 442 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/nemesis-games/he-told-himself.md)

Topics: [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> There is no certainty but that there is no certainty.

[Jeffrey Ford](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jeffrey-ford.md) · [The Drowned Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jeffrey-ford/the-drowned-life.md) · p. 272 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jeffrey-ford/the-drowned-life/there-is-no-certainty.md)

Topics: [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> The trick is to keep exploring and not bail out, even when we find out that something is not what we thought... Nothing is what we thought.

[Pema Chödrön](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron.md) · [When Things Fall Apart](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron/when-things-fall-apart.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron/when-things-fall-apart/the-trick-is-to-keep.md)

Topics: [curiosity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/curiosity.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> In fact, anyone who stands on the edge of the unknown, fully in the present without reference point, experiences groundlessness.

[Pema Chödrön](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron.md) · [When Things Fall Apart](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron/when-things-fall-apart.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron/when-things-fall-apart/in-fact-anyone.md)

Topics: [the present moment](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-present-moment.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> When things fall apart and we’re on the verge of we know not what, the test of each of us is to stay on that brink and not concretize.

[Pema Chödrön](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron.md) · [When Things Fall Apart](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron/when-things-fall-apart.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron/when-things-fall-apart/when-things-fall.md)

Topics: [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> From this point of view, the only time we ever know what’s really going on is when the rug’s been pulled out and we can’t find anywhere to land. We use these situations either to wake ourselves up or to put ourselves to sleep.

[Pema Chödrön](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron.md) · [When Things Fall Apart](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron/when-things-fall-apart.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/pema-chodron/when-things-fall-apart/from-this-point.md)

Topics: [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> You think about all that stuff that can happen to you, he said. There aint no end to it.

[Cormac McCarthy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy.md) · [All the Pretty Horses](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/all-the-pretty-horses.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/all-the-pretty-horses/you-think-about.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> Whatever resolve and certainty he had felt in the past few weeks had melted away. Strangely, there was some lightness in the unknowing, like a clenched fist had been unfurled. (chapter 34)

[Ayelet Tsabari](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayelet-tsabari.md) · [Songs for the Brokenhearted](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayelet-tsabari/songs-for-the-brokenhearted.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayelet-tsabari/songs-for-the-brokenhearted/whatever-resolve-and.md)

Topics: [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> No one is very certain about anything after a while.

[Ana Castillo](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ana-castillo.md) · [I Ask the Impossible](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ana-castillo/i-ask-the-impossible.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ana-castillo/i-ask-the-impossible/no-one-is-very.md)

Topics: [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> To admit uncertainty is to admit to weakness, to powerlessness, and to believe in yourself despite both. It is a frailty, but in this frailty there is a strength: the conviction to live in your own mind, and not in someone else’s.

[Tara Westover](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tara-westover.md) · [Educated](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tara-westover/educated.md) · p. 197 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tara-westover/educated/to-admit-uncertainty.md)

Topics: [independence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/independence.md), [strength](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/strength.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> In this time of uncertainty, when all our old social forms are crumbling, when we cannot easily find our way, we can be lights to each other. p. 403

[Marilyn Ferguson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilyn-ferguson.md) · [The Aquarian Conspiracy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilyn-ferguson/the-aquarian-conspiracy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilyn-ferguson/the-aquarian-conspiracy/in-this-time.md)

Topics: [relationships](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/relationships.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> Another discovery: uncertainty. Not just the uncertainty of the moment, which may pass, but oceanic uncertainty, mystery that washes across our beaches forever.

[Marilyn Ferguson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilyn-ferguson.md) · [The Aquarian Conspiracy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilyn-ferguson/the-aquarian-conspiracy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marilyn-ferguson/the-aquarian-conspiracy/another-discovery-uncertainty.md)

Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING. Not one person in the entire motion picture field knows for a certainty what's going to work. Every time out it's a guess—and, if you're lucky, an educated one.

[William Goldman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-goldman.md) · [Adventures In The Screen Trade](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-goldman/adventures-in-the-screen-trade.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-goldman/adventures-in-the-screen-trade/nobody-knows-anything.md)

Topics: [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md), [cinema](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cinema.md)

> Destiny was apparently a word describing an individual’s desperate need for certainty.

[Michael Moorcock](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock.md) · [The City in the Autumn Stars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-city-in-the-autumn-stars.md) · p. 349 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-city-in-the-autumn-stars/destiny-was-apparently.md)

Topics: [fate](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fate.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> No matter how well you know what a person has done and what he thought of what he was doing when he did it and what he now thinks of what he did, it is impossible to be certain of what he will do next.

[Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Xenocide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/xenocide.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/xenocide/no-matter-how.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose. I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.

[Sylvia Plath](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sylvia-plath.md) · [The Bell Jar](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sylvia-plath/the-bell-jar.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sylvia-plath/the-bell-jar/i-saw-myself.md)

Topics: [choices](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/choices.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> If neurotic is wanting two mutually exclusive things at one and the same time, then I'm neurotic as hell. I'll be flying back and forth between one mutually exclusive thing and another for the rest of my days.

[Sylvia Plath](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sylvia-plath.md) · [The Bell Jar](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sylvia-plath/the-bell-jar.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sylvia-plath/the-bell-jar/if-neurotic-is-wanting.md)

Topics: [desire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/desire.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty: not knowing what comes next.

[Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [The Left Hand of Darkness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness.md) · p. 70 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-left-hand-of-darkness/the-only-thing.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> Through the gamut of life we struggled for control, for a means to fashion the world around us, an eternal, hopeless hunt for the privilege of being able to predict the shape of our lives.

[Steven Erikson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson.md) · [Gardens Of The Moon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson/gardens-of-the-moon.md) · p. 457 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson/gardens-of-the-moon/through-the-gamut.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz.md) · [On War](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz/on-war.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz/on-war/although-our-intellect.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> With uncertainty in one scale, courage and self-confidence should be thrown into the other to correct the balance. The greater they are, the greater the margin that can be left for accidents.<!--

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz.md) · [On War](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz/on-war.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz/on-war/with-uncertainty-in-one.md)

Topics: [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [self-confidence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-confidence.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> If the mind is to emerge unscathed from this relentless struggle with the unforeseen, two qualities are indispensable: first, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to truth; and second, the courage to follow this faint light wherever it may lead.

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz.md) · [On War](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz/on-war.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz/on-war/if-the-mind.md)

Topics: [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [courage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/courage.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> Behind every mystery lies another mystery. Infinite recession. But you don't need to know final answers — if there be such — and neither do I.

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein.md) · [Job: A Comedy of Justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/job-a-comedy-of-justice.md) · p. 403 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/job-a-comedy-of-justice/behind-every-mystery.md)

Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> Some people say, "How can you live without knowing?" I do not know what they mean. I always live without knowing. That is easy. How you get to know is what I want to know.

[Richard P. Feynman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman.md) · [The Meaning of It All](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/the-meaning-of-it-all.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/the-meaning-of-it-all/some-people-say.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> It is in the admission of ignorance and the admission of uncertainty that there is a hope for the continuous motion of human beings in some direction that doesn't get confined, permanently blocked, as it has so many times before in various periods in the history of man.

[Richard P. Feynman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman.md) · [The Meaning of It All](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/the-meaning-of-it-all.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/the-meaning-of-it-all/it-is-in-the.md)

Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [ignorance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ignorance.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> The fact that you are not sure means that it is possible that there is another way someday.

[Richard P. Feynman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman.md) · [The Meaning of It All](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/the-meaning-of-it-all.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/the-meaning-of-it-all/the-fact-that.md)

Topics: [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> We absolutely must leave room for doubt or there is no progress and no learning. There is no learning without having to pose a question. And a question requires doubt. People search for certainty. But there is no certainty. People are terrified — how can you live and not know? It is not odd at all. You only think you know, as a matter of fact. And most of your actions are based on incomplete knowledge and you really don't know what it is all about, or what the purpose of the world is, or know a great deal of other things. It is possible to live and not know.

[Richard P. Feynman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman.md) · [The Pleasure of Finding Things Out](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/the-pleasure-of-finding-things-out.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/richard-p-feynman/the-pleasure-of-finding-things-out/we-absolutely-must.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [doubt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/doubt.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> Riots and comedy are but symptoms of the times, profoundly revealing. They betray the psychological tone, the deep uncertainties... And the striving for something better, plus the fear that nothing would come of it all.

[Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune/riots-and-comedy.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> Humans may crave absolute certainty; they may aspire to it; they may pretend, as partisans of certain religions do, to have attained it. But the history of science — by far the most successful claim to knowledge accessible to humans — teaches that the most we can hope for is successive improvement in our understanding, learning from our mistakes, an asymptotic approach to the Universe, but with the proviso that absolute certainty will always elude us.

[Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [The Demon-Haunted World](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/the-demon-haunted-world.md) · p. 28 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/the-demon-haunted-world/humans-may-crave.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> "I'm beginning to think it's very hard to know what to believe in this world."

[William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [Christmas Holiday](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/christmas-holiday.md) · p. 239 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/christmas-holiday/im-beginning-to-think.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> There is only one thing about which I am certain, and this is that there is very little about which one can be certain.

[William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [The Summing Up](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up/there-is-only.md)

Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> Uncertainty, doubt, perpetual wrestling with the mystery of our final destiny, mental despair, and the lack of any solid and stable foundation, may be the basis of an ethic.

[Miguel de Unamuno](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno.md) · [Tragic Sense of Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life/uncertainty-doubt-perpetual.md)

Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> I have known that thing the Greeks knew not – uncertainty.

[Jorge Luis Borges](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jorge-luis-borges.md) · [The Garden of Forking Paths](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jorge-luis-borges/the-garden-of-forking-paths.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jorge-luis-borges/the-garden-of-forking-paths/i-have-known.md)

Topics: [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)