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There are three ways that men get what they want; by planning, by working, and by praying. Any great military operation takes careful planning, or thinking. Then you must have well-trained troops to carry it out: that's working. But between the plan and the operation there is always an unknown. That unknown spells defeat or victory, success or failure. It is the reaction of the actors to the ordeal when it actually comes. Some people call that getting the breaks; I call it God. God has His part, or margin in everything, That's where prayer comes in.

George S. Patton#7

PlanningSuccessFaithUncertainty

About this quote

What does it mean?
Success requires planning, work, and accepting the unknown or divine intervention.
In plain terms
Do your part but acknowledge luck or God.
What can you take from it?
Prepare fully and accept uncertainty.

Where it applies

  • planning
  • risk assessment

Putting it to work

  • balance preparation and flexibility

Questions to consider

  • How much is luck?
  • Do you believe in fate?

Another view

Attributing outcomes to God ignores systemic factors.

More from George S. Patton

  1. Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.

    Permalink to quote #6
  2. I don't know what you think you're trying to do, but the krauts ought to pin a medal on you for helping them mess up discipline for us.

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty. It may not sound nice to some bunch of little old …

    Permalink to quote #5

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