---
title: "The sun comes up just about as often as it goes down, in the long run… — Donald Knuth Quote #12 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "The sun comes up just about as often as it goes down, in the long run, but this doesn't make its motion random. — a quote by Donald Knuth."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # The sun comes up just about as often as it goes down, in the long run, but this doesn't make its motion random.

[Donald Knuth](https://quotesby.net/Donald-Knuth)\#12

[Logic](https://quotesby.net/topics/logic/)[Nature](https://quotesby.net/topics/nature/)[Observation](https://quotesby.net/topics/observation/)[Patterns](https://quotesby.net/topics/patterns/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?Even regular events like sunrise are not random if they follow a pattern.In plain termsJust because something happens often does not mean it is random.What can you take from it?Look for patterns even in frequent events.

### Where it applies

- data analysis
- daily life
- science

### Putting it to work

- study trends
- avoid assumptions
- track data

### Questions to consider

- What patterns do you see?
- Is this random or ordered?

### Another view

Some things truly are random.

## More from Donald Knuth

1. > An algorithm must be seen to be believed.

[Permalink to quote \#11](https://quotesby.net/Donald-Knuth/11/ "Permalink to quote 11")
2. > Any inaccuracies in this index may be explained by the fact that it has been sorted with the help of a computer.

[Permalink to quote \#13](https://quotesby.net/Donald-Knuth/13/ "Permalink to quote 13")
3. > Email is a wonderful thing for people whose role in life is to be on top of things. But not for me; my role is to be on the bottom of things. What I do takes l…

[Permalink to quote \#10](https://quotesby.net/Donald-Knuth/10/ "Permalink to quote 10")

## Related quotes

1. > These seem like bristles, and the hide is tough. No claw or web here: each foot ends in hoof.

[Thom Gunn](https://quotesby.net/Thom-Gunn)[Thom Gunn quote \#1](https://quotesby.net/Thom-Gunn/1/ "Permalink to quote 1")
2. > Cold, delicately as the dark snow, A fox's nose touches twig, leaf; Two eyes serve a movement, that now And again now, and now, and now Sets neat prints into t…

[Ted Hughes](https://quotesby.net/Ted-Hughes)[Ted Hughes quote \#1](https://quotesby.net/Ted-Hughes/1/ "Permalink to quote 1")
3. > There's nothing in the middle of the road but a yellow stripe and dead armadillos.

[Jim Hightower](https://quotesby.net/Jim-Hightower)[Jim Hightower quote \#1](https://quotesby.net/Jim-Hightower/1/ "Permalink to quote 1")

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