He is happy whose circumstances suit his temper; but he is more excellent who can suit his temper to any circumstances.
—David Hume (1711–76) Scottish Philosopher, Historian
I am still determined to be cheerful and happy,
in whatever situation I may be; for I have also
learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness
or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
—Martha Washington (1731–1802) American First Lady
If you have a dream, give it a chance to happen.
—Richard DeVos (1926–2018) American Businessman, Philanthropist
Men are the sport of circumstances, when the circumstances seem the sport of men.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Chance favors those in motion.
—James H. Austin American Buddhist Neuroscientist, Scientist, Author, Academic
He who leaves nothing to chance will do few things poorly, but he will do few things.
—E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax (1881–1959) British Politician, Political leader
There is no such thing as chance or accident; the words merely signify our ignorance of some real and immediate cause.
—Adam Clarke (1762–1832) British Methodist Scholar, Theologian, Clergyman
If you’re proactive, you don’t have to wait for circumstances or other people to create perspective expanding experiences. You can consciously create your own.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
Grab a chance and you won’t be sorry for a might have been.
—Arthur Ransome (1884–1967) British Writer, Journalist, Illustrator
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
How come “fat chance” and “slim chance” mean the same thing?
—Tom Wilson (1931–2011) American Cartoonist
Take a chance! All life is a chance. The man who goes the furthest is generally the one who is willing to do and dare. The “sure thing” boat never gets far from shore.
—Dale Carnegie (1888–1955) American Self-Help Author
Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise.
—Samuel Lover (1797–1868) Anglo-Irish Writer, Artist, Songwriter
Chance fights ever on the side of the prudent.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
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
How things look on the outside of us depends on how things are on the inside of us. Stay close to the heart of nature and forget this troubled world. Remember, there is nothing wrong with nature; the trouble is in ourselves.
—Parks Cousins
I’ve always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn’t have a chance to win.
—Arnold Palmer (b.1929) American Sportsperson
You are where you are today because you’ve chosen to be there.
—Harry Browne (1933–2006) American Politician, Investor, Writer
The circumstances of your life have uniquely qualified you to make a contribution. And if you don’t make that contribution, nobody else can make it.
—Harold Kushner (b.1935) American Jewish Religious Leader, Priest
How often events, by chance, and unexpectedly, come to pass, which you had not dared even to hope for!
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
Those who have succeeded at anything and don’t mention luck are kidding themselves.
—Larry King (b.1933) American TV Personality, Radio Personality, Journalist
How we think shows through in how we act. Attitudes are mirrors of the mind. They reflect thinking.
—David J. Schwartz (1927–87) American Self-help Author
Journeys, like artists, are born and not made. A thousand differing circumstances contribute to them, few of them willed or determined by the will — whatever we may think.
—Lawrence Durrell (1912–90) British Biographer, Poet, Playwright, Novelist
The urge to gamble is so universal and its practice so pleasurable that I assume it must be evil.
—Heywood Broun (1888–1939) American Journalist, Editor
Circumstances hell! I make circumstances!
—Bruce Lee (1940–73) American Martial Artist, Actor, Philosopher
Chance favors the prepared mind.
—Louis Pasteur (1822–95) French Biologist
The mines of knowledge are often laid bare by the hazel-wand of chance.
—Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810–89) English Poet, Writer
Not only does God play dice, but… he sometimes throws them where they cannot be seen.
—Stephen Hawking (1942–2018) English Theoretical Physicist, Cosmologist, Academic
The roulette table pays nobody except him that keeps it. Nevertheless a passion for gaming is common, though a passion for keeping roulette tables is unknown.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Did you ever observe to whom the accidents happen?. Chance favors only the prepared mind.
—Louis Pasteur (1822–95) French Biologist
How often things occur by mere chance which we dared not even hope for.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
Chance usually favors the prudent man.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
I do not give money for just mere hopes.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist