Subject: Murphy’s Laws (Page 39)

Nothing matters very much, and very few things matter at all.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn’t have to do it himself.

In a surplus labor economy, the squeaking wheel does not get the grease; it gets replaced.

1. If reproducibility may be a problem, conduct the test only once.
2. If a straight line fit is required, obtain only two data points.

Employees in a hierarchy do not really object to incompetence in their colleagues.

Some mistakes are too fun to make only once.

The only time suppressive fire works is when it is used on abandoned positions.

If you change lines, the one you just left will start to move faster than the one you are now in.

Of two possible events, only the undesired one will occur.

In any group of eagles, you will find some turkeys.

Internal consistency is valued more highly than efficiency.

Incompetence tends to increase with the level of work performed. And naturally the individual’s staff needs will increase as his level of incompetence increases.

You know you're getting old when everything dries up or leaks.

Anything, no matter how bad, will sound good if played at a very high volume for a short time.

When you arrive at your chosen campsite, it is full.

If it looks easy, it's tough… if it looks tough, it's near impossible.

At any particular time, there are more horse's asses in the world than horses.

When walking a dog, be sure then animal is smaller than you.

1. If you must make a decision, delay it.
2. If you can authorize someone else to avoid a decision, do so.
3. If you can form a committee, have them avoid the decision.
4. If you can otherwise avoid a decision, avoid it immediately.

1. In dealing with their “own” problems, faculty members are the most extreme conservatives 2. In dealing with “other” people's problems, they are the world's most extreme liberals.

If you can keep your head while those around you are losing theirs, you may have misjudged the situation.