If there is a 50-50 chance that something can go wrong, then 9 times out of ten it will.

The quote "If there is a 50-50 chance that something can go wrong, then 9 times out of ten it will." comes from Will Harvey, an American entrepreneur, computer scientist, and video game developer. In this statement, Harvey humorously exaggerates the pessimistic principle behind Murphy’s Law, which says that “anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” By twisting the mathematics—turning a 50-50 chance into a near certainty—he captures the frustrating reality that problems often occur more frequently than probability would suggest.

The meaning behind the quote lies in the gap between theoretical probability and lived experience. A 50-50 chance suggests an even split between success and failure, but Harvey is highlighting that in real-world situations, factors such as human error, unforeseen complications, and bad luck often skew the odds toward failure. His statement is not a literal mathematical truth but rather a wry commentary on how unpredictable systems seem to betray our expectations.

The origin of this remark is rooted in Harvey’s background in technology and software development, fields where small errors or overlooked details can cause projects to fail unexpectedly. Like many engineers and programmers, he likely experienced firsthand how seemingly straightforward tasks can encounter repeated setbacks, reinforcing the feeling that “if it can go wrong, it will”—and probably more often than you think.

Ultimately, Harvey’s words function as both humor and caution. They acknowledge the frustration that comes with repeated mishaps, while implicitly reminding us to prepare for potential problems even when the odds seem even. In that sense, the quote is less about accepting defeat and more about adopting a mindset of readiness in the face of uncertainty.