What fates impose, that men must needs abide; It boots not to resist both wind and tide

What fates impose, that men must needs abide; It boots not to resist both wind and tide

Fate is not an eagle, it creeps like a rat.

Fate is not an eagle, it creeps like a rat.

Yet what are they, the learned and the great?
Awhile of longer wonderment the theme!
Who shall read more

Yet what are they, the learned and the great?
Awhile of longer wonderment the theme!
Who shall presume to prophesy their date,
Where nought is certain save the uncertainty of fate?
- Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher,

The bow is bent, the arrow flies,
The winged shaft of fate.

The bow is bent, the arrow flies,
The winged shaft of fate.

Chance generally favors the prudent.

Chance generally favors the prudent.

Stern fate and time
Will have their victims; and the best die first,
Leaving the bad still read more

Stern fate and time
Will have their victims; and the best die first,
Leaving the bad still strong, though past their prime,
To curse the hopeless world they ever curs'd
Vaunting vile deeds, and vainest of the worst.

Call it Nature, Fate, Fortune; all these are names of the one and selfsame God.

Call it Nature, Fate, Fortune; all these are names of the one and selfsame God.

What need I fear of thee? But yet I'll make assurance double sure, and take a bond of fate: thou read more

What need I fear of thee? But yet I'll make assurance double sure, and take a bond of fate: thou shalt not live; That I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, And sleep in spite of thunder

Success, the mark no mortal wit,
Or surest hand, can always hit:
For whatsoe'er we perpetrate,
read more

Success, the mark no mortal wit,
Or surest hand, can always hit:
For whatsoe'er we perpetrate,
We do but row, we're steer'd by Fate,
Which in success oft disinherits,
For spurious causes, noblest merits.