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The only certainty is that nothing is certain.
Pliny The Elder
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote highlights the inherent unpredictability of life and the idea that nothing is guaranteed.

Pliny The Elder's quote reminds us that while we may seek stability and certainty in our lives, the reality is that unpredictability is the only constant. Embracing this uncertainty can lead us to a deeper understanding of life and help us to navigate its challenges with resilience and adaptability.

Themes

CertaintyUncertaintyLifePhilosophyWisdom

In practice

Example use cases

During a lecture on the unpredictability of life, one might quote Pliny The Elder to emphasize the importance of adaptability.

More from Pliny The Elder

It has become quite a common proverb that in wine there is truth (In Vino Veritas).
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Such is the audacity of man, that he hath learned to counterfeit Nature, yea, and is so bold as to challenge her in her work.
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The depth of darkness to which you can descend and still live is an exact measure of the height to which you can aspire to reach.
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It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.
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Of all wonders, this is among the greatest, that some fresh waters close by the sea spring forth as out of pipes: for the nature of the waters also ceaseth not from miraculous properties.
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How innocent, how happy, how truly delightful, even, would life be if we were to desire nothing but what is to be found upon the face of the earth: in a word, nothing but what is provided ready to our hands!
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