Nobody reads the disclosures that roll down your computer screen. You click 'I agree' but you don't know what you're agreeing to.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
Things always become obvious after the fact
Interpretation
What this quote means
Hindsight makes it easy to see the truth after events have happened.
This quote by Nassim Nicholas Taleb highlights the common human tendency to see events as clear and obvious only after they have occurred. It suggests that people often overlook the complexity and uncertainty of situations while they are unfolding, only to later claim they knew how it would turn out, which can lead to a false sense of understanding and confidence in predicting future events.
Themes
HindsightUnderstandingComplexityCertaintyTruth
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about stock market predictions, one could say, 'As Nassim Nicholas Taleb noted, things always become obvious after the fact, reminding us that predictions can often be misleading.'
More from Nassim Nicholas Taleb
All quotes βFragility is the quality of things that are vulnerable to volatility.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
Those who were unlucky in life in spite of their skills would eventually rise. The lucky fool might have benefited from some luck in life; over the longer run he would slowly converge to the state of a less-lucky idiot. Each one would revert to his long-term properties.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
Individuals should think about the worst-case scenarios and plan for them. The world will be crazier than you think it will be. Put money away, and then you can live with much more freedom.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
A good maxim allows you to have the last word without even starting a conversation.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
A Stoic is someone who transforms fear into prudence, pain into transformation, mistakes into initiation, and desire into undertaking.
Nassim Nicholas TalebRead
Similar quotes
As a younger person, my philosophy was jump off a cliff. I realize now that there are stairs and elevators. I am learning every day to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be to inspire me and not terrify me. I can even ask for help! Not feeling that I have to know everything, and thatβs where the growth comes in, in the not knowing.
Tracee Ellis RossRead
Don't condemn if you see a person has a dirty glass of water, just show them the clean glass of water that you have. When they inspect it, you won't have to say that yours is better." -said by Elijah Muhammad to Malcolm X
Malcolm XRead
Science gives us knowledge, but only philosophy can give us wisdom.
Will DurantRead
It was a very cool thing to be a smart girl, as opposed to some other, different kind. And I think that made a great deal of difference to me growing up and in my life afterward.
Elena KaganRead
It was better, he thought, to fail in attempting exquisite things than to succeed in the department of the utterly contemptible.
Arthur MachenRead
It is my wish that you may have at better and freer life than I have had. Recommend virtue to your children; it alone, not money, can make them happy. I speak from experience; this was what upheld me in time of misery.
Ludwig Van BeethovenRead