We do not what we ought, What we ought not, we do, And lean upon the thought That chance will bring us through.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- We fail to do what is right and do what is wrong, hoping luck will fix our mistakes.
- In plain terms
- We do wrong things and hope chance will save us from the consequences.
- What can you take from it?
- Do not expect luck to fix your mistakes.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Do you blame luck for failures?
- What do you do when you are wrong?
Another view
Sometimes luck does save people regardless of their choices.
More from Matthew Arnold
Thou hast no right to bliss.
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Permalink to quote #64 The sophist sneers: Fool, take Thy pleasure, right or wrong! The pious wail: Forsake A world these sophists throng! Be neither saint nor sophist-led, but be a …
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