Subject: Murphy’s Laws (Page 40)

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

The experiment may be considered a success if no more than 50% of the observed measurements must be discarded to obtain a correspondence with theory.

If you have to park six blocks away, you will find two new parking spaces right in front of the building entrance.

When in doubt, empty the magazine.

No combat-ready unit has ever passed inspection.

Don't let anyone kid you about the life of Riley.

A martyr is a hero who didn't make it.

There comes a time when one must stop suggesting and evaluating new solutions, and get on with the job of analyzing and finally implementing one pretty good solution.

Every organization has an allotted number of positions to be filled by misfits.

Corollary: Once a misfit leaves, another will be recruited.

Just because your doctor has a name for your condition doesn't mean he knows what it is.

With extremely few exceptions, nothing is worth the trouble.

Under the most rigorously controlled conditions of pressure, temperature, volume, humidity, and other variables, any experimental organism will do as it damn well pleases.

Talent in staff work or sales will recurrently be interpreted as managerial ability.

No name, no matter how simple, can be correctly understood over the phone.

1. If you keep anything long enough you can throw it away.
2. If you throw anything away, you will need it as soon as it is no longer accessible.

When you look for something you will not find it, but when you are looking for something else you will.

If you find yourself in front of your platoon they know something you don't.

If a piece of buttered toast falls, it will land face down.

Never offend people with style when you can offend them with substance.

1. Nothing minor ever happens to a car on the weekend. 2. Nothing minor ever happens to a car on a trip. 3. Nothing minor ever happens to a car.

Whatever creates the greatest inconvenience for the largest number must happen.