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The man who has planned badly, if fortune is on his side…

“The man who has planned badly, if fortune is on his side, may have had a stroke of luck; but his plan was a bad one nonetheless.” quote by Herodotus
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“The man who has planned badly, if fortune is on his side, may have had a stroke of luck; but his plan was a bad one nonetheless.”

Herodotus

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Poor planning can be offset by luck, but the underlying plan remains flawed.

In simple terms: Luck may help, but bad plans stay bad.

Key Takeaway

Plan well, don't rely on luck.

Themes

planning luck strategy

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • business ventures
  • military campaigns
  • personal projects
  • investment decisions

Key Concepts

probability risk assessment decision making

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you mitigate reliance on luck?
  • What safeguards improve weak plans?
A Different Perspective

Luck is unpredictable and cannot be counted on.

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