Prediction Quotes

“Every known fact in natural science was divined by the presentiment of somebody, before it was actually verified.”

“There are two processes which we adopt consciously or unconsciously when we try to prophesy. We can seek a period in the past whose conditions resemble as closely as possible those of our day, and presume that the sequel to that period will, save for some minor alterations, be similar. Secondly, we can survey the general course of development in our immediate past, and endeavor to prolong it into the near future. The first is the method the historian; the second that of the scientist. Only the second is open to us now, and this only in a partial sphere.”

“We know enough to be sure that the scientific achievements of the next fifty years will be far greater, more rapid, and more surprising, than those we have already experienced. ... Wireless telephones and television, following naturally upon the their present path of development, would enable their owner to connect up to any room similarly equipped and hear and take part in the conversation as well as if he put his head in through the window.”

“We shall escape the absurdity of growing a whole chicken in order to eat the breast or wing, by growing these parts separately under a suitable medium.”

“I always avoid prophesying beforehand, because it is a much better policy to prophesy after the event has already taken place.”

“It is not given to human beings, happily for them, for otherwise life would be intolerable, to foresee or to predict to any large extent the unfolding course of events.”

“If you want to know when a war might be coming, you just watch the U.S. and see when it starts cutting down on its defenses. It's the surest barometer in the world.”

“A politician needs the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen.”

“Prediction is very hard, particularly when it's about the future.”

“It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”

“Forecasting is very difficult, especially when it involves the future.”

“I can predict with absolute certainty that within another generation there will be another world war if the nations of the world do not concert the method by which to prevent it.”

“In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.”

“With a wonderful business, you can figure out what will happen; you can't figure out when it will happen. You don't want to focus on when, you want to focus on what. If you're right about what, you don't have to worry about when”

“In my view, [the trade deficit] will create political turmoil at some point...Pretty soon, I think there will be a big adjustment.”

“The Noah rule: Predicting rain doesn't count; building arks does.”

“Good players skate to the puck. Great players skate to where the puck is going to be.”

“Forecasts may tell you a great deal about the forecaster; they tell you nothing about the future.”

“Stop trying to predict the direction of the stock market, the economy or elections.”

“It is apparent to me that the possibilities of the aeroplane, which two or three years ago were thought to hold the solution to the [flying machine] problem, have been exhausted, and that we must turn elsewhere.”

“Fooling around with alternating currents is just a waste of time. Nobody will use it, ever. It's too dangerous . . . it could kill a man as quick as a bolt of lightning. Direct current is safe.”

“Books will soon be obsolete in the schools... Our school system will be completely changed in the next ten years.”

“I have determined that there is no market for talking pictures”

“Radio is just a fashion contrivance that will soon die out. It is obvious that there never will be invented a proper receiver!”

“Not only will atomic power be released, but someday we will harness the rise and fall of the tides and imprison the rays of the sun.”