Fortune

"What then?

Fortune does not overthrow;

Do you think these the gifts of Fortune?

for the event was in God’s hands, not mine.

The issue depends on the will of a higher Power;

their fortune was such as Heaven severally allotted to them.

for in many things the whim of Fortune prevails and there are many plausible reasons why everything does not turn out according to plan, men being but men.

But, as things are, you most enjoy listening to those who say what you wish to hear, yet often you charge them with deceiving you if everything does not turn out the way you would like, not taking this into account, that of the task of studying and calculating the best measures, within human limitations, and of explaining them to you, each man is himself the arbiter, but of their execution and pro …

still, even as things now are, it seems to me that Fortune is somehow kinder to you than are those at the head of affairs.

Never did I trust Fortune, even when she seemed to be keeping the peace;

Against either condition he holds a mind unconquered, of a firmness already tested;

and besides, I feared that Fortune, though vanquished by me, might yet vanquish someone of mine.

How little harm you would have done him!

"What did you mean, Fortune, so unjust and so violent?

O unbridled Fortune, what sport you make for yourself out of the woes of men!

We are all chained to fortune.

This Diogenes saw, a man of vast spirit, and he so arranged matters that nothing could be snatched from him.

However the state, then, presents itself, however fortune allows, so shall we either spread ourselves out or draw ourselves in;

And yet in many respects our good fortune is to be preferred to Philip’s.

Because, men of Athens, at present his prosperity overshadows all such shortcomings, for success has a strange power of obscuring and covering men’s failings;

For our prosperity is inherited from our ancestors, and is of an earlier date than the prosperity not only of Philip, but, roughly speaking, of all the kings that have ever reigned in Macedonia.

If a man keeps what he gains, he is duly grateful to fortune;

For not only if someone comes forward with a well-considered plan, could you hear and accept it, but also I count it part of your good fortune that more than one speaker may be inspired with suitable suggestions on the spur of the moment, so that out of the multitude of proposals the choice of the best should not be difficult.

the abiding bloom of good fortune brings with it both good and bad.

But the delight of mortals grows in a short time, and then it falls to the ground, shaken by an adverse thought.

Wealth is widely powerful, whenever a mortal man receives it, blended with pure excellence, from the hands of fortune, and takes it as a companion that makes many friends.

“You will not deceive me, Fortune, nor catch me off guard or careless.

new troubles will press upon us before we have made satisfaction to the old.

Whatever has been given by Fortune, possess as though its giver were withdrawn.

It is no benefit which looks to fortune.

Fortune does the same:

We must offer ourselves to fortune, that against her we may be hardened by her very self;

For the rest, let Fortune dispose as she will:

For what can be above him who is above Fortune?

for though nothing from without assail or shake it, Fortune of herself collapses upon herself.

but across this empty threshold, free of porters, fortune does not pass.

No, nor at the hand of fortune, who, as often as she has closed with virtue, has never withdrawn on equal terms.

For things brought to their height have no room for growth, and fortune snatches away nothing except what she gave;

But if there is no joy along with all of that, I would not pay even the shadow of smoke for all the rest, compared with joy.

Fortune sets upright and Fortune sinks the lucky and unlucky from day to day, and no one can prophesy to men concerning the order that has just been established.

But I, who hold myself son of Fortune that gives good, will not be dishonored.

What should a mortal man fear, for whom the decrees of Fortune are supreme, and who has clear foresight of nothing?