There is no chance, and no anarchy, in the universe. All is system and gradation. Every god is there sitting in his sphere.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Luck generally comes to those who look after it; and my notion is that it taps, once in a lifetime, at everybody’s door, but if industry does not open it luck goes away.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) English Baptist Preacher
In short, luck’s always to blame.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
Luck is not something you can mention in the presence of self-made men.
—E. B. White (1985–99) American Essayist, Humorist
Tsuki ni murakumo, hana ni kaze
Clouds over the moon, a storm over blossoms.
—Japanese Proverb
No man ever wetted clay and then left it, as if there would be bricks by chance and fortune.
—Plutarch (c.46–c.120 CE) Greek Biographer, Philosopher
Luck is what a capricious man believes in.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
Although men flatter themselves with their great actions, they are not so often the result of a great design as of chance.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Fortune is ever seen accompanying industry, and is as often trundling in a wheelbarrow as lolling in a coach and six.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Luck is always waiting for something to turn up. Labor, with keen eyes and strong will, always turns up something. Luck lies in bed and wishes the postman will bring news of a legacy. Labor turns out at six o’clock and with busy pen or ringing hammer, lays the foundation of a competence. Luck whines. Labor whistles. Luck relies on chance, labor on character.
—Richard Cobden (1804–65) British Politician, Economist
Fortune cannot be flattered by such fetish worship. But she can be wooed and won by hard work.
—Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook (1879–1964) Canadian-born British Politician, Journalist
‘Tis better to be fortunate than wise.
—John Webster (1580–1634) English Dramatist, Poet
Chance usually favors the prudent man.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
Luck is good planning, carefully executed.
—Unknown
Vicissitude of fortune which spares neither man nor the proudest of his works, but buries empires and cities in a common grave.
—Edward Gibbon (1737–94) English Historian, Politician
Luck implies an absolute absence of any principle.
—Zhuang Zhou (c.369–c.286 BCE) Chinese Taoist Philosopher
The man who is intent on making the most of his opportunities is too busy to bother about luck.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
No man can tell what the future may bring forth, and small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.
—Demosthenes (384–322 BCE) Greek Statesman, Orator
A person does not seek luck; luck seeks the person.
—Turkish Proverb
I have been extraordinarily lucky. Anyone who pretends that some kind of luck isn’t involved in his success is deluding himself.
—Arthur Hailey (1920–2004) British-born Canadian Novelist
Better an ounce of luck than a pound of gold.
—Yiddish Proverb
There is in the worst of fortune the best of chances for a happy change.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Luck enters into every contingency. You are a fool if you forget it—and a greater fool if you count upon it.
—Phyllis Bottome (1884–1963) British Novelist, Short Story Writer, Psychoanalyst
What is luck? It is not only chance, it is also creating the opportunity, recognizing it when it is there, and taking it when it comes.
—Natasha Josefowitz (1926–2023) American Author
When I thought I couldn’t go on, I forced myself to keep going. My success is based on persistence, not luck.
—Norman Lear (1922–2023) American Producer, Television Writer, Activist
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
I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
A wise man turns chance into good fortune.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.
—Dianne Feinstein (1933–2023) American Politician, Long-serving U.S. Senator
People often remark that I’m pretty lucky. Luck is only important in so far as getting the chance to sell yourself at the right moment. After that, you’ve got to have talent and know how to use it.
—Frank Sinatra (1915–1998) American Singer
Leave a Reply