Destiny Quote by David Foster Wallace
““What metro Boston AAs are trite but correct about is that both destiny's kisses and its dope-slaps illustrate an individual person's basic personal powerlessness over the really meaningful events in their life: i.e almost nothing important that ever happens to you happens because you engineer it. Destiny has no beeper; destiny always leans trenchcoated out of an alley with some sort of Psst that you usually can't even hear because you're in such a rush to or from something important you've tried to engineer.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Infinite Jest, 1996
Life’s major events are beyond personal control, making true agency an illusion.
In simple terms: Big events happen regardless of personal plans.
Key Takeaway
Accept limits of control.
Themes
fate
powerlessness
illusion
agency
determinism
Mood
reflective
melancholic
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- relationship choices
- health crises
- financial planning
Key Concepts
existentialism
psychology
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you respond when plans fail?
- What small actions still matter?
A Different Perspective
Personal effort can still shape minor outcomes.
![“[...] almost nothing important that ever happens to you happens because you engineer it. Destiny has no beeper; destiny always leans trenchcoated out of an alley with some sort of 'psst' that you usually can't even hear because you're in such a rush to or from something important you've tried to…” quote by David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fe1/david-foster-wallace-161_destiny_almost-nothing-important-that-ever-happe_469583.jpg)
![“Man blindly works the will of fate. [Ger., Blindlings that er blos den Willen des Geschickes.]” quote by Christoph Martin Wieland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/661/christoph-martin-wieland-35565_blindly_man-blindly-works-the-will-of-fate-ger-b_3452.jpg)
