Circumstances beyond my individual control.

Circumstances beyond my individual control.

Odd instances of strange coincidence.

Odd instances of strange coincidence.

How comes it to pass, if they be only moved by chance and
accident, that such regular mutations and read more

How comes it to pass, if they be only moved by chance and
accident, that such regular mutations and generations should be
begotten by a fortuitous concourse of atoms.

The happy combination of fortuitous circumstances.

The happy combination of fortuitous circumstances.

Men's plans should be regulated by the circumstances, not
circumstances by the plans.
[Lat., Consilia res magis dant read more

Men's plans should be regulated by the circumstances, not
circumstances by the plans.
[Lat., Consilia res magis dant hominibus quam homines rebus.]

Thus we see, too, in the world that some persons assimilate only
what is ugly and evil from the read more

Thus we see, too, in the world that some persons assimilate only
what is ugly and evil from the same moral circumstances which
supply good and beautiful results--the fragrance of celestial
flowers--to the daily life of others.

For these attacks do not contribute to make us frail but rather
show us to be what we are.

For these attacks do not contribute to make us frail but rather
show us to be what we are.

What the discordant harmony of circumstances would and could
effect.
[Lat., Quid velit et possit rerum concordia discors.]

What the discordant harmony of circumstances would and could
effect.
[Lat., Quid velit et possit rerum concordia discors.]

The massive gates of circumstance
Are turned upon the smallest hinge,
And thus some seeming pettiest chance
read more

The massive gates of circumstance
Are turned upon the smallest hinge,
And thus some seeming pettiest chance
Oft gives our life its after-tinge.
The trifles of our daily lives,
The common things, scarce worth recall,
Whereof no visible trace survives,
These are the mainsprings after all.