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The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty; not knowing what comes next.
Ursula K. Le Guin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Life is characterized by uncertainty, which is essential to existence.

This quote by Ursula K. Le Guin reflects on the nature of life, emphasizing that uncertainty is not only a fundamental aspect of our existence but also a driving force that influences our experiences and choices. It highlights the idea that embracing the unknown is crucial, as it allows us to navigate life's unpredictable journey and appreciate the richness it brings.

Themes

UncertaintyLifeExistencePhilosophyExperience

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about embracing change and uncertainty.

More from Ursula K. Le Guin

It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.
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In reading a novel, any novel, we have to know perfectly well that the whole thing is nonsense, and then, while reading, believe every word of it. Finally, when we're done with it, we may find - if it's a good novel - that we're a bit different from what we were before we read it, that we have changed a little... But it's very hard to say just what we learned, how we were changed.
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Reason is a faculty far larger than mere objective force. When either the political or the scientific discourse announces itself as the voice of reason, it is playing God, and should be spanked and stood in the corner.
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We read books to find out who we are. What other people, real or imaginary, do and think and feel... is an essential guide to our understanding of what we ourselves are and may become.
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When he found that the administrators were upset, he laughed. β€œDo they expect students not to be anarchists?” he said. β€œWhat else can the young be? When you are on the bottom, you must organize from the bottom up
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The creative adult is the child who has survived.
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