never say never

Probably a pithy modern reformulation of the preceding proverb (never is a long time).

1940 KASNER & NEWMAN Mathematics and the Imagination 214 Simple instances of this [the vicious circle fallacy] are those pontifical phrases, familiar to everyone, which seem to have a great deal of meaning, but actually have none, such as ‘never say never.’

1977 Economist 9 Apr. 6 Mr Colley..is politician enough never to say never.

1978 Washington Post 2 Mar. A1 Marshall did not rule out a resumption of talks, saying ‘you can never say “never” in this business.’

1984 Washington Post 27 Apr. A23 A president should ‘never say never.’

2002 Washington Times 18 Apr. B5 That proves you should never say ‘Never.’