Causality Quote by Branch Rickey
“Things worthwhile generally don’t just happen. Luck is a fact, but should not be a factor. Good luck is what is left over after intelligence and effort have combined at their best. Negligence or indifference are usually reviewed from an unlucky seat. The law of cause and effect and causality both work the same with inexorable exactitudes. Luck is the residue of design.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Autobiography of Branch Rickey, 1965
Luck is secondary; design, intelligence, and effort create favorable outcomes, while negligence leads to failure.
In simple terms: Good outcomes result from planning and work, not chance.
Focus on preparation and effort.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- business ventures
- sports scouting
- personal projects
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance planning with flexibility?
- What steps reduce reliance on luck?
Luck can still play a role despite preparation.