Oh, the difference between nearly right and exactly right.

The line underscores how small inaccuracies can produce large consequences. “Nearly right” suggests approximation, good intentions, or work that is close to correct, while “exactly right” implies precision, rigor, and reliability. Brown’s exclamation (“Oh,”) conveys a rueful recognition—often learned through experience—that standards matter most where outcomes hinge on fine distinctions: measurement, language, moral judgment, or professional craft. The quote functions as a compact warning against complacency: being close is not the same as being correct, and the gap between the two can determine success or failure, truth or error, safety or harm.