quotations about destiny
Men speak of blind destiny, a thing without scheme or purpose. But what sort of destiny is that? Each act in this world from which there can be no turning back has before it another, and it another yet. In a vast endless net. Men imagine that the choices before them are theirs to make. But we are free to act only upon what is given. Choice is lost in the maze of generations and each act in the maze is itself an enslavement for it voids every alternative and binds one ever more tightly into the constraints that make a life.
CORMAC MCCARTHY
Cities of the Plain
Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
speech, Feb. 22, 1899
The grave is still the best shelter against the storms of destiny.
G. C. LICHTENBERG
attributed, The New Webster Quotation Dictionary
Man must understand his universe in order to understand his destiny.
NEIL ARMSTRONG
attributed, Rocket Men
Destiny is a journey. Therefore, it is essential for anyone who wants to reach his or her planned destination to stay on course. Detouring can cause a trip that is only meant to take a day turn into a trip that takes weeks... The only way you can travel into your destiny is to release yourself of other routes that cause lengthy detours, taking you back to the beginning and sometimes to dead end streets.
KRISTI LUV WILSON
Driving Destiny
It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.
WINSTON CHURCHILL
speech in the House of Commons, Feb. 27, 1945
Alas, poor men, their destiny. When all goes well a shadow will overthrow it. If it be unkind one stroke of a wet sponge wipes all the picture out.
AESCHYLUS
The Oresteia
Long tarries destiny,
But comes to those who pray.
AESCHYLUS
The Libation Pourers
It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
ANTHONY ROBBINS
Notes from a Friend: A Quick and Simple Guide to Taking Control of Your Life
Destiny is inescapable ... it is whatever God, however you perceive Him, ordains our life to be.
BOB LOVE
Destiny's Voyage
The soul of man createth its own destiny.
NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS
"Extract"
Come to me
This is Destiny
Right now
Sing my song
Come along
Right now
SCHILLER
"Destiny", Voyage
Betimes I have heard people bewail the fact that our destinies are shrouded in mystery; I think, though, that it is a blessing of sorts. Surely if we knew what bitterness fate held in store, we would shrink back in fear and let the cup of life pass us untasted.
JACQUELINE CAREY
Kushiel's Dart
There can be no exit from manifest destiny.
MICK FARREN
Darklost
Ah me, thou Destiny,
Giver of evil gifts.
AESCHYLUS
The Seven Against Thebes
Destiny is selfhood. To live your destiny is to be raised above accidental circumstances to the level of your essential being. This is not merely because destiny precludes accidents and thus provides a propitious life-environment. The relationship between destiny and self is more intimate than that. Destiny defines the self: you ARE your destiny. To speak of destiny as though it is merely something that happens to you is to assume that a person is in essence always the same, changeless at the core amid the ceaseless changes of life and history. But the truth is that what happens to you--including in this category the ideas and impulses that arise within you in response to outward events--defines your identity. The only way you could be fully identified would be by a story--of the kind God alone could tell--of the unfolding of your life in all its depths and complexities. Thus living your destiny is carrying on your life as the one you really are.
GLENN E. TINDER
The Fabric of Hope
Don't you know that what happens to you once always happens again? You always react in the same way to the same thing. It's no accident when you make a mess. Then you do it again. It's called destiny.
CESARE PAVESE
The Devil in the Hills
Not without a shudder may the human hand grasp the mysterious urn of destiny.
FRIEDRICH SCHILLER
The Death of Wallenstein
Destiny is in reality a pompous word that means very little. If we have great talents, it will probably be our destiny to show them. If we have no talents, it will certainly be our destiny to show none.
ANONYMOUS
The Spectator, Aug. 2, 1884
Motive is a thread, work is a skein, destiny is a maze.
THOMAS ROBERT SLICER
Meditations