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About this quote

What does it mean?
Fortune is depicted as a lowly servant of the devil who flatters everyone.
In plain terms
Luck is just the devil's servant kissing everyone's feet.
What can you take from it?
Luck is fickle and base.

Where it applies

  • social critique
  • personal setback
  • cynicism

Putting it to work

  • critique of luck
  • skepticism about success
  • moral warning

Questions to consider

  • Is luck a moral force?
  • How much should you trust fortune?

Another view

It ignores that luck can be neutral or benevolent.

More from William Blake

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  2. Fiery the Angels rose, & as they rose deep thunder roll'd Around their shores: indignant burning with the fires of Orc

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  3. You cannot have Liberty in this world without what you call Moral Virtue & you cannot have Moral Virtue without the Slavery of that half of the Human Race who …

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