Famous quote by Tom Robbins

"True stability results when presumed order and presumed disorder are balanced. A truly stable system expects the unexpected, is prepared to be disrupted, waits to be transformed"

About this Quote

True stability does not arise from rigidly clinging to structure, nor does it reside in the chaos of unmanaged disorder. Rather, equilibrium emerges when both order and disorder coexist, and the interplay between them is acknowledged and valued. Systems, whether personal, social, or organizational, achieve resilience not by eliminating volatility, but by being permeable and adaptive to fluctuations.

Presumed order provides a foundation: rules, routines, and expectations create coherence and direction. However, an overreliance on structure breeds brittleness. When unforeseen challenges inevitably arise, systems locked into rigid patterns are liable to fracture. Conversely, presumed disorder embodies uncertainty, surprise, and disruption. While pure chaos is unsustainable, acknowledging the potential for disorder avoids the pitfalls of complacency or arrogance. Recognizing that the unexpected may occur at any moment builds inherent flexibility.

A stable system, then, does not deny turbulent forces but embraces their instructive power. It expects the unexpected, making space for contingency and rapid response. Preparation involves more than stockpiling resources or drafting contingency plans; it is a state of readiness, a willingness to adapt, and a capacity to let go of outdated practices. Stability is thus dynamic rather than static, rooted in continual transformation rather than a fixed state. Waiting to be transformed means holding an openness to change and growth, seeing disruption not as a threat but as an invitation to evolve.

Such balance is found everywhere in nature: ecosystems thrive through cycles of change, organizations innovate by learning from failure, individuals grow through challenge and adaptation. By accepting both order and disorder, by living in readiness for the unexpected, systems cultivate real security, not the kind that comes from fortification and denial, but from the supple strength born out of balance and anticipation.

About the Author

Tom Robbins This quote is written / told by Tom Robbins somewhere between July 22, 1936 and today. He was a famous Author from USA. The author also have 19 other quotes.
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