Hairbreadth missings of happiness look like the insults of Fortune.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Narrow escapes from misfortune feel like Fortune is mocking us by coming so close to disaster.
- In plain terms
- Almost losing something big feels like bad luck mocking you.
- What can you take from it?
- Near misses can feel worse than outright loss.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why do near misses hurt?
- Is luck real or perceived?
Another view
Near misses can also be framed as relief.
More from Henry Fielding
His designs were strictly honorable, as the phrase is; that is, to rob a lady of her fortune by way of marriage.
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