Fortune favors the prepared mind.
—Louis Pasteur (1822–95) French Biologist
Go and wake up your luck.
—Persian Proverb
The mould of a man’s fortune is in his own hands.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Fortune favors the bold.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
Fortune is an evil chain to the body, and vice to the soul.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
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
The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
If a man’s fortune does not fit him, it is like the shoe in the story; if too large it trips him up, if too small it pinches him.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
No man is poor who does not think himself so. But if in a full fortune with impatience he desires more, he proclaims his wants and his beggarly condition.
—Jeremy Taylor
Affliction is enamoured of thy parts, and thou art wedded to calamity.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Nature magically suits a man to his fortunes, by making them the fruit of his character.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Large fortunes are all founded either on the occupation of land, or lending or the taxation of labor.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
Speedy exception is the mother of good fortune.
—Common Proverb
A great mind becomes a great fortune.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Depend on the rabbit’s foot if you will, but it didn’t work for the rabbit.
—Unknown
If Fortune calls, offer him a seat.
—Yiddish Proverb
He is a good man whom fortune makes better.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
We make our own fortunes and we call them fate.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Life itself is short, but lasts longer than misfortunes.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
To attract good fortune, spend a new coin on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new friend, and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing his name on the wings of a dragon.
—Chinese Proverb
A stout heart breaks bad luck.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
I would rather have a lucky general than a smart general in any battle. They win battles and they make me lucky.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
Necessity of action takes away the fear of the act, and makes bold resolution the favorite of fortune.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
No one is truly free, they are a slave to wealth, fortune, the law, or other people restraining them from acting according to their will.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
The man who glories in his luck may be overthrown by destiny.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Fortune does not so much change men, as it unmasks them.
—Unknown
Accident is the name of the greatest of all inventors.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
The way of fortune is like the milky way in the sky; which is a number of smaller stars, not seen asunder, but giving light together; so it is a number of little and scarce discerned virtues, or rather faculties and customs, that make men fortunate.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
I certainly think that it is better to be impetuous than cautious, for fortune is a woman, and it is necessary if you wish to master her, to conquer her by force.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
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