Public opinion is a weak tyrant, compared with our private opinion – what a man thinks of himself, that is which determines, or rather indicates his fate.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Seek not to know what must not be reveal, for joy only flows where fate is most concealed. A busy person would find their sorrows much more; if future fortunes were known before!
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Wherever the fates lead us let us follow.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
Granting our wish is one of Fate’s saddest jokes.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Fate throws fortune, but not everyone catches.
—Polish Proverb
There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919) American Poet, Journalist
Whatever limits us we call Fate.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbow’d.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Lies but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
—William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) English Poet, Critic, Editor
There is a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-hew them as we will.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Our wills and fates do so contrary run, that our devices still are overthrown; our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Chance is a word devoid of sense, nothing can exist without a cause.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
God overrules all mutinous accidents, brings them under his laws of fate, and makes them all serviceable to his purpose.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
The fates lead the willing, and drag the unwilling.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
Heaven from all creatures hides the book of fate.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
We shun the rugged battle of fate where strength is born.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Tempted fate will leave the loftiest star.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
A door that seems to stand open must be a man’s size, or it is not the door that providence means for him.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Our fate, whatever it is to be, will be overcome by patience under it.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
I often feel, and ever more deeply I realize, that fate and character are the same conception.
—Novalis (1772–1801) German Romantic Poet, Novelist
There’s much to be said for challenging fate instead of ducking behind it.
—Diana Trilling (1905–96) American Literary Critic, Author
Ill fortune never crushed that man whom good fortune deceived not.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Fate is not satisfied with inflicting one calamity.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Fate keeps on happening.
—Anita Loos (1888–1981) American Actor, Novelist, Screenwriter
How a person masters his fate is more important than what his fate is.
—Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767–1835) German Philosopher, Linguist, Statesman
We make our own fortunes and we call them fate.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
What must be shall be; and that which is a necessity to him that struggles, is little more than choice to him that is willing.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Some people are making such thorough preparation for rainy days that they aren’t enjoying today’s sunshine.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
It is the fate of the coconut husk to float, of the stone to sink.
—Malaysian Proverb
When it rains, it pours.
—Common Proverb