Related:

• Klipstein's Observation: If you need n items of anything, you will have n - 1 in stock
• You're never a loser until you quit trying.
• Diplomacy is saying "nice doggy" until you find a rock.
• Diplomacy: Saying "nice doggy"... until you find a rock.
• Witten's Law: Whenever you cut your fingernails, you will find a need for them an hour later.
• Never insult a crocodile until you are safely across the river.
• The responses below mention the following works (a few added)
  A Random Walk in Science - R.L. Weber and E. Mendoza More Random Walks In Science - R....