The ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Churchill mocks those who predict the future and then explain away failed predictions instead of admitting error.
- In plain terms
- Some people pretend to predict events and then make excuses when wrong.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid making predictions you cannot stand behind if they fail.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do we trust bad forecasters?
- How do you measure prediction success?
Another view
Predictions are inherently uncertain and sometimes need context.
More from Winston Churchill
Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm.
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