Not without a shudder may the human hand reach into the mysterious urn of destiny.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Destiny bears us to our lot, and destiny is perhaps our own will.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
We are no more free agents than the queen of clubs when she victoriously takes prisoner the knave of hearts.
—Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689–1762) English Aristocrat, Poet, Novelist, Writer
The destiny of man is in his own soul.
—Herodotus (c.485–425 BCE) Ancient Greek Historian
Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.
—William Jennings Bryan (1860–1925) American Political leader, Diplomat, Politician
I must in the face of a storm, think, live and die as a king.
—Frederick II of Prussia (1712–86) Prussian Monarch
What do I know of man’s destiny? I could tell you more about radishes.
—Samuel Beckett (1906–1989) Irish Novelist, Playwright
Lots of folks confuse bad management with destiny.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
That which God writes on thy forehead, thou wilt come to it.
—The Holy Quran Sacred Scripture of Islam
Let us follow our destiny, ebb and flow. Whatever may happen, we master fortune by accepting it.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
Every man carries with him the world in which he must live.
—Francis Marion Crawford (1854–1909) Italian-born American Novelist, Writer
No cause has he to say his doom is harsh, who’s made the master of his destiny.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
A consistent soul believes in destiny, a capricious one in chance.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
The clew of our destiny, wander where we will, lies at the foot of the cradle.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
Destiny is an absolutely definite and inexorable ruler. Physical ability and moral determination count for nothing. It is impossible to perform the simplest act when the gods say “no.” I have no idea how they bring pressure to bear on such occasions; I only know that it is irresistible.
—Aleister Crowley (1875–1947) English Occultist, Mystic, Magician
Thoughts lead on to purpose, purpose leads onto actions, actions form habits, habits decide character, and character fixes our destiny.
—Tryon Edwards American Theologian
Control your destiny or somebody else will.
—Jack Welch (1935–2020) American Businessperson
We still have it in our power to rise above the fears, imagined and real, and to shoulder the great burdens which destiny has placed upon us, not for our country alone, but for the benefit of all the world. That is the only destiny worthy of America.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
As you think, you travel, and as you love, you attract. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
The destiny of any nation at any given time depends on the opinion of its young people, those under twenty-five.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
To accomplish our destiny it is not enough to merely guard prudently against road accidents. We must also cover before nightfall the distance assigned to each of us.
—Alexis Carrel (1873–1944) American Surgeon, Biologist
We sow our thoughts and reap our actions. We sow our actions and reap our habits. We sow our habits and reap our character. We sow our character, and we reap our destiny.
—Unknown
Our destiny changes with our thoughts; we shall become what we wish to become, do what we wish to do, when our habitual thoughts correspond with our desires.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
Alas! we are the sport of destiny.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
Hanging and Riving goes by destiny.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
What God writes on your forehead you will become.
—The Holy Quran Sacred Scripture of Islam
No man is great enough or wise enough for any of us to surrender our destiny to. The only way in which anyone can lead us is to restore to us the belief in our own guidance.
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
One meets his destiny often in the road he takes to avoid it.
—French Proverb
That which is not allotted the hand cannot reach; and what is allotted you will find wherever you may be.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet