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.

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

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.

The heart is its own Fate.

The heart is its own Fate.

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.

Things and actions are what they are, and the consequences of
them will be what they will be; why read more

Things and actions are what they are, and the consequences of
them will be what they will be; why then should we desire to be
deceived?

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

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

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

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

Let those deplore their doom,
Whose hope still grovels in this dark sojourn:
But lofty souls, who read more

Let those deplore their doom,
Whose hope still grovels in this dark sojourn:
But lofty souls, who look beyond the tomb,
Can smile at Fate, and wonder how they mourn.