The mould of a man’s fortune is in his own hands.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
The world is quickly bored by the recital of misfortune, and willing avoids the sight of distress.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
We create our fate every day … most of the ills we suffer from are directly traceable to our own behavior.
—Henry Miller (1891–1980) American Novelist
It is not Justice the servant of men, but accident, hazard, Fortune-the ally of patient Time-that holds an even and scrupulous balance.
—Mario Andretti (b.1940) Italian-American Racing Driver, Entrepreneur
Depend upon it, that if a man talks of his misfortunes there is something in them that is not disagreeable to him: for where there is nothing but pure misery, there never is any mention of it.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Good fortune will elevate even petty minds, and give them the appearance of a certain greatness and stateliness, as from their high place they look down upon the world; but the truly noble and resolved spirit raises itself, and becomes more conspicuous in times of disaster and ill fortune.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound by shallows and in misery. Julius Caesar
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Fortune reveres the brave, and overwhelms the cowardly.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
I made my fortune by being able to spot a certain kind of man.
—Ayn Rand (1905–82) Russian-born American Novelist, Philosopher
You’ve got to be in a position for luck to happen. Luck doesn’t go around looking for a stumblebum.
—Darrell Royal (1924–2012) American Football Player
If fate means you to lose, give him a good fight anyhow.
—William McFee (1881–1966) English Writer
I am above being injured by fortune, though she steals away much, more will remain with me. The blessing I now enjoy transcend fear.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Life is full of chances and changes, and the most prosperous of men may … meet with great misfortunes.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Ovid finely compares a broken fortune to a falling column; the lower it sinks, the greater weight it is obliged to sustain. When a man’s circumstances are such that he has no occasion to borrow, he finds numbers willing to lend him; but should his wants be such that he sues for a trifle, it is two to one whether he will be trusted with the smallest sum.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Combine common sense and the Golden Rule, and you will have very little bad luck.
—Unknown
A wise man is cured of ambition by ambition itself; his aim is so exalted that riches, office, fortune and favour cannot satisfy him.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
There is no fortune so good that you can find nothing in it to complain of.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
The moderation of people in prosperity is the effect of a smooth and composed temper, owing to the calm of their good fortune.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
A stout heart breaks bad luck.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
A great mind becomes a great fortune.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
The greatest reverses of fortune are the most easily borne from a sort of dignity belonging to them.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Work and acquire, and thou hast chained the wheel of Chance.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Good luck is often with the man who doesn’t include it in his plans.
—Unknown
Luck is believing you’re lucky.
—Tennessee Williams (1911–83) American Playwright
Fortune is an evil chain to the body, and vice to the soul.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
There sometimes wants only a stroke of fortune to discover numberless latent good or bad qualities, which would otherwise have been eternally concealed; as words written with a certain liquor appear only when applied to the fire.
—George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746–1816) British Nobleman, Politician
Success is simply a matter of luck. Ask any failure.
—Earl Nightingale (1921–89) American Motivational Speaker, Author
There is a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune; Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound by shallows and in misery.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
If Fortune calls, offer him a seat.
—Yiddish Proverb
We ought to give thanks for all fortune: it is good, because it is good, if bad, because it works in us patience, humility and the contempt of this world and the hope of our eternal country.
—C. S. Lewis (1898–1963) Irish-British Academic, Author, Literary Scholar
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