“No plan of operations reaches with any certainty beyond the first encounter with the enemy’s main force” (Helmuth von Moltke, Prussina military commander, 1880).
Or another version….
“Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth” (Mike Tyson, former World Heavyweight boxing champion).
“Science does not need mysticism and mysticism does not need science. But man needs both.” – From the Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra.
Not 100% true (floppy discs or zip drives anyone?), but I like the thought.
Look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.”
― Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
“I don’t make predictions and I never will” – Paul Gascoigne.
“I remember one morning when I discovered a cocoon in the back of a tree just as a butterfly was making a hole in its case and preparing to come out. I waited awhile, but it was too long appearing and I was impatient. I bent over it and breathed on it to warm it. I warmed it as quickly as I could and the miracle began to happen before my eyes, faster than life. The case opened; the butterfly started slowly crawling out, and I shall never forget my horror when I saw how its wings were folded back and crumpled; the wretched butterfly tried with its whole trembling body to unfold them. Bending over it, I tried to help it with my breath, in vain. It needed to be hatched out patiently and the unfolding of the wings should be a gradual process in the sun. Now it was too late. My breath had forced the butterfly to appear all crumpled, before its time. It struggled desperately and, a few seconds later, died in the palm of my hand. That little body is, I do believe, the greatest weight I have on my conscience. For I realize today that it is a mortal sin to violate the great laws of nature. We should not hurry, we should not be impatient, but we should confidently obey the eternal rhythm.” – Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek.
“Someday a computer will give the wrong answer to spare someone’s feelings, and man will have invented artificial intelligence.” – Robert Breault.
“Don’t undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.”
From Revenge of the Analog, by David Sax
“There is not enough Africa in computers” – Brian Eno.
“Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” – Douglas Adams.