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,

Destiny has two ways of crushing us -- by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them.

Destiny has two ways of crushing us -- by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them.

Fate chooses our relatives, we choose our friends.

Fate chooses our relatives, we choose our friends.

Go with your fate, but not beyond. Beyond leads to dark places.

Go with your fate, but not beyond. Beyond leads to dark places.

Fate is nothing but the deeds committed in a prior state of existence.

Fate is nothing but the deeds committed in a prior state of existence.

All human things are subject to decay,
And when fate summons, monarchs must obey.

All human things are subject to decay,
And when fate summons, monarchs must obey.

Chance generally favors the prudent.

Chance generally favors the prudent.

No power or virtue of man could ever have deserved that what has
been fated should not have taken read more

No power or virtue of man could ever have deserved that what has
been fated should not have taken place.
[Lat., Nulla vis humana vel virtus meruisse unquam potuit, ut,
quod praescripsit fatalis ordo, non fiat.]

Fate has carried me
'Mid the thick arrows: I will keep my stand--
Not shrink and let read more

Fate has carried me
'Mid the thick arrows: I will keep my stand--
Not shrink and let the shaft pass by my breast
To pierce another.