"来世を信じていませんが、着替えの下着を持ってきています。"

The core idea here is about being prepared, even for things you don't necessarily believe in or expect to happen. It’s a blend of skepticism and pragmatism—doubtful about the afterlife but still packing a change of underwear just in case. It's kind of like hedging your bets.

Think back to the Enlightenment era, when skepticism about religious doctrines was gaining ground but old traditions still held sway. People were questioning the existence of an afterlife, yet they continued with rituals and customs "just in case". That blend of old beliefs and new questioning minds resonates with the quote. It captures that tension between not fully buying into something but preparing for it anyway.

Imagine a real-life scenario: Say you're a student who’s pretty sure you understand a topic for an upcoming test, but you still decide to make a cheat sheet—just for peace of mind. Even though you're confident, that little piece of paper provides a safety net. It’s practical. You don’t think you'll need it, but you're prepared if you do.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in everyday life? It’s about being skeptical but not reckless. Suppose you're dubious about the stock market performing well, but you understand that not investing at all isn't wise either. You might diversify your investments—some in safe bonds, some in riskier stocks. You're prepared for different outcomes, balancing doubt with pragmatism.

Here's a story to bring it home: Imagine you're planning a camping trip with friends. You've checked the weather forecast, and it looks clear. Still, you pack rain gear. Your friends laugh—"Why bother?" But halfway through the weekend, dark clouds roll in, and there you are, dry and comfortable, while everyone else is soaked. You didn't believe it would rain, but you were ready if it did.

In essence, it's about balancing skepticism with preparedness. Don’t dismiss things outright because you don’t believe in them. Instead, acknowledge the uncertainties and prepare for various outcomes. This blend of doubt and readiness will often keep you one step ahead.

Life is unpredictable. So, just like packing that change of underwear, always have a plan B. You're not being paranoid; you're being smart. It's a small effort that can save you a lot of trouble down the line.