--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Fate doesn’t let men choose their wars…" description: "\"“Fate doesn’t let men choose their wars. Or even their battles, sometimes. But one resolute man can sometimes accomplish remarkable things against over..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e09/greg-iles-4609_destiny_fate-doesn-t-let-men-choose-their-wars-o_2837023.png" --- # Fate doesn’t let men choose their wars. Or even their… ![“Fate doesn’t let men choose their wars. Or even their battles, sometimes. But one resolute man can sometimes accomplish remarkable things against overwhelming odds.” quote by Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e09/greg-iles-4609_destiny_fate-doesn-t-let-men-choose-their-wars-o_2837023.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e09/greg-iles-4609_destiny_fate-doesn-t-let-men-choose-their-wars-o_2837023.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e09/greg-iles-4609_destiny_fate-doesn-t-let-men-choose-their-wars-o_2837023.png) > ““Fate doesn’t let men choose their wars. Or even their battles, sometimes. But one resolute man can sometimes accomplish remarkable things against overwhelming odds.”” [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often cannot choose the conflicts they face, but a determined individual can achieve extraordinary results despite overwhelming odds. **In simple terms:** You can’t choose wars, but resolve can overcome them. Key Takeaway Cultivate resolve to tackle seemingly impossible challenges. Themes determination adversity heroism Mood hopeful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal crises - social movements - military strategy - entrepreneurship Key Concepts free will fate resilience Questions to Reflect On - What personal battles feel inevitable? - How does resolve change the odds? A Different Perspective Not all obstacles can be overcome by will alone. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Battles Resolute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battles-resolute-3697559/) [Choose Wars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-wars-3697560/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Fate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fate/) [Fate Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fate-doesn-453648/) [Men Choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-choose-336729/) [Resolute Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolute-man-3697558/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [It is the character of a brave and resolute man not to be ruffled by adversity and not to desert his post.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/it-is-the-character-of-a-brave-and-resolute-man-not-to-be-ruffled-by/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Take it from me, Fate doesn't care most of the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-wynne-jones/take-it-from-me-fate-doesn-t-care-most-of-the-time/) [Diana Wynne Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-wynne-jones/) > [“Fate doesn’t care about family. When the time is up, she nicks at the thread”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecilia-robert/fate-doesn-t-care-about-family-when-the-time-is-up-she-nicks-at-the/) [Cecilia Robert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecilia-robert/) > [Fate doesn't care about plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fate-doesn-t-care-about-plans/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The word 'fate' doesn't really mean much to me in some ways. I think we make our own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonya-walger/the-word-fate-doesn-t-really-mean-much-to-me-in-some-ways-i-think-we/) [Sonya Walger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonya-walger/) > [If fate doesn't make you laugh, you just don't get the joke.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-david-roberts/if-fate-doesn-t-make-you-laugh-you-just-don-t-get-the-joke/) [Gregory David Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-david-roberts/) > [“Lark frowned. “I thought she was associated with fate. Her Arcana name’s Our Lady of Fate.” “As she desired it to be,” he said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/lark-frowned-i-thought-she-was-associated-with-fate-her-arcana-name-s/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [“Fate doesn't ask for your biodata to change your life forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shweta-grewal/fate-doesn-t-ask-for-your-biodata-to-change-your-life-forever/) [Shweta Grewal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shweta-grewal/) > [“If fate doesn't give us the chance, we steal it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/if-fate-doesn-t-give-us-the-chance-we-steal-it/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [Fate is being kind to me. Fate doesn't want me to be too famous too young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-ellington/fate-is-being-kind-to-me-fate-doesn-t-want-me-to-be-too-famous-too/) [Duke Ellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-ellington/) > [Just because Fate doesn't deal you the right cards, it doesn't mean you should give up. It just means you have to play the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-brown/just-because-fate-doesn-t-deal-you-the-right-cards-it-doesn-t-mean-2/) [Les Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-brown/) > [Life is long. Just because you don't get your chance right when you want or expect it doesn't mean it won't come. Fate doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/life-is-long-just-because-you-don-t-get-your-chance-right-when-you-2/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [¦ just because Fate doesn't deal you the right cards, ¦ it doesn't mean you should give up. ¦ It just means you have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-s/just-because-fate-doesn-t-deal-you-the-right-cards-it-doesn-t-mean/) [Ron S](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-s/) > [A movie has its own fate, which often doesn’t depend on the performances of the director and actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhang-ziyi/a-movie-has-its-own-fate-which-often-doesn-t-depend-on-the/) [Zhang Ziyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhang-ziyi/) > [“Sometimes choice means change. Fate doesn’t often give us a lot of insight on what will be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-chapman/sometimes-choice-means-change-fate-doesn-t-often-give-us-a-lot-of/) [John Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-chapman/) ## More by Greg Iles > [“path of least resistance, or the walk over hot coals.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/path-of-least-resistance-or-the-walk-over-hot-coals/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [Like my best friend, I asked for drums for Christmas, and got them. But when he moved on to guitar, I realized two things:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/like-my-best-friend-i-asked-for-drums-for-christmas-and-got-them-but/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [“We do not just belong to this universe, we are it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/we-do-not-just-belong-to-this-universe-we-are-it/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [“The mills of the gods grind slowly…but they grind to dust. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/the-mills-of-the-gods-grind-slowly-but-they-grind-to-dust/) [greg iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [...the larger world lay not across oceans but within the human mind and heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/the-larger-world-lay-not-across-oceans-but-within-the-human-mind-and/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [Experiences are like hoarded gold. Whenever I dole out a piece of my private suffering, that is when I get letters from all over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/experiences-are-like-hoarded-gold-whenever-i-dole-out-a-piece-of-my/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [“Because death is the end, and if a man doesn’t speak before it silences him, then the things he holds closest die with him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/because-death-is-the-end-and-if-a-man-doesn-t-speak-before-it/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [I deal with the human psychology and evil. They are my twin issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/i-deal-with-the-human-psychology-and-evil-they-are-my-twin-issues/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [“When we reach the intersection with Homochitto Street, I turn right, into town, and soon we’re passing Dunleith, the antebellum mansion that I always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/when-we-reach-the-intersection-with-homochitto-street-i-turn-right/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [The South is the home of 'an eye for an eye.' 'Turning the other cheek'? The South can't see that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/the-south-is-the-home-of-an-eye-for-an-eye-turning-the-other-cheek/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [Some things we must pass over in silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/some-things-we-must-pass-over-in-silence/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [“Let me tell you a secret, Caitlin. We’re still in the cave. It’s just bigger, and we wear nicer clothes. We make alliances and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/let-me-tell-you-a-secret-caitlin-we-re-still-in-the-cave-it-s-just/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [I'll read anything that's good. I have no artificial barriers based on genre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/i-ll-read-anything-that-s-good-i-have-no-artificial-barriers-based-on/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [My father has always been the heart of my Penn Cage novels,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/my-father-has-always-been-the-heart-of-my-penn-cage-novels/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) > [I've learned as much about writing from songwriters as I have from other writers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-iles/i-ve-learned-as-much-about-writing-from-songwriters-as-i-have-from/) [Greg Iles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) [Explore all 106 Greg Iles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-iles/) ## More Destiny quotes > [... War on the destiny of man! Doom on the sun! Before death takes you, O take back this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/war-on-the-destiny-of-man-doom-on-the-sun-before-death-takes-you-o/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Anatomy is destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/anatomy-is-destiny/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [“You are destiny for greatness. Your future is in the hands of the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/you-are-destiny-for-greatness-your-future-is-in-the-hands-of-the-lord/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“To be a Sufi is to detach from fixed ideas and from preconceptions; and not to try to avoid what is your lot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/to-be-a-sufi-is-to-detach-from-fixed-ideas-and-from-preconceptions/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [ Man blindly works the will of fate. \[Ger., Blindlings that er blos den Willen des Geschickes.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-martin-wieland/man-blindly-works-the-will-of-fate-ger-blindlings-that-er-blos-den/) [Christoph Martin Wieland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christoph-martin-wieland/) > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [“It's morning now, and I miss the soft rasp of her voice already. Ugh. I'm in trouble, aren't I?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-shand/it-s-morning-now-and-i-miss-the-soft-rasp-of-her-voice-already-ugh-i/) [Pat Shand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-shand/) > [You can't choose what stays and what stays away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-welch/you-can-t-choose-what-stays-and-what-stays-away/) [Florence Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-welch/) > [“Failing to meet your true destiny is a tragic act of free will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthon-st-maarten/failing-to-meet-your-true-destiny-is-a-tragic-act-of-free-will/) [Anthon St. Maarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthon-st-maarten/) > [Somehow destiny comes into play. These children end up with you and you end up with them. It's something quite magical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-kidman/somehow-destiny-comes-into-play-these-children-end-up-with-you-and/) [Nicole Kidman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-kidman/) > [“In that instant it all seemed to come clear to him- it came in a grisly flash of light, and he realized that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/in-that-instant-it-all-seemed-to-come-clear-to-him-it-came-in-a/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [“Destiny is the ordained intention God has sacredly prepared with your name on it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-s-lynch/destiny-is-the-ordained-intention-god-has-sacredly-prepared-with-your/) [John S. Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-s-lynch/) > [“There is no interaction without God with interaction with men”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/there-is-no-interaction-without-god-with-interaction-with-men/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [“Fate and future both are servant to the determined, for they are nothing but creation of human determination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/fate-and-future-both-are-servant-to-the-determined-for-they-are/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) [Browse all 7,925 Destiny quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Fate doesn’t let men choose their wars. 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