Chisholm effect - The basic laws of frustration, mishap, and delay

1st law of human interaction. If anything can go wrong, it will.

• Corollary: If anything just can't go wrong, it will anyway.

2nd law. When things are going well, something will go wrong.

• Corollary 1: When things just can't get any worse, they will.
• Corollary 2: Anytime things appear to be going better, you have overlooked something.

3rd law. Purposes, as understood by the purposer, will be judged otherwise by others.

• Corollary 1: If you explain so clearly that nobody can misunderstand, somebody will.
• Corollary 2: If you do something which you are sure will meet with everybody's approval, somebody won't like it.
• Corollary 3: Procedures devised to implement the purpose won't quite work.
• Corollary 4: No matter how long or how many times you explain, no one is listening.