Good fortune turns aside destruction by a great god.
—Instructions of Ankhsheshonqy, c. 100 BC
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Quotes
Casting lots causes contentions to cease, and keeps the mighty apart.
—Book of Proverbs, c. 350 BCFortune resists half-hearted prayers.
—Ovid, 8Nothing is as obnoxious as other people’s luck.
—F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1938Luck takes the step that no one sees.
—Publilius Syrus, c. 50 BCMisfortune, n. The kind of fortune that never misses.
—Ambrose Bierce, 1906To put one’s trust in God is only a longer way of saying that one will chance it.
—Samuel Butler, c. 1890Some folks want their luck buttered.
—Thomas Hardy, 1886Those who trust to chance must abide by the results of chance.
—Calvin Coolidge, 1932Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.
—William Shakespeare, c. 1610Luck, in the great game of war, is undoubtedly lord of all.
—Arthur Griffiths, 1899Survivors look back and see omens, messages they missed.
—Joan Didion, 2005’Tis not a ridiculous devotion to say a prayer before a game at tables?
—Thomas Browne, 1642