Want to Predict the Future, Read This

The future is so deceptive and subject to so many possible arrangements.

When next you think of predicting the future, I hope the maxim below from Francesco Guicciardni, a 15th century Italian historian and Statesman, guides you.

The future is so deceptive and subject to so many accidents, that very often even the wisest of men is fooled when he tries to predict it. If you look very closely at his prognostications, especially when they concern details-for often the general out- come is easier to guess-you will see little difference between them and the guesses of those who are considered less wise. Therefore, to give up a present good for fear of a future evil is, most of the time, madness-unless the evil is very certain, very near, or very great compared to the good. Otherwise, quite often a groundless fear will cause you to lose a good thing you could have kept