---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the long run luck is given only to the…"
description: "\"In the long run luck is given only to the efficient.\" — Helmuth James Graf von Moltke"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e5/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke_efficient_in-the-long-run-luck-is-given-only-to-th_1057218.jpg"
---

#  In the long run luck is given only to the efficient.

![“In the long run luck is given only to the efficient.” quote by Helmuth James Graf von Moltke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e5/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke_efficient_in-the-long-run-luck-is-given-only-to-th_1057218.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e5/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke_efficient_in-the-long-run-luck-is-given-only-to-th_1057218.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e5/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke_efficient_in-the-long-run-luck-is-given-only-to-th_1057218.jpg)

> “In the long run luck is given only to the efficient.”

[Helmuth James Graf von Moltke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/)

## About This Quote

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

Efficiency determines who benefits from chance; luck favors the prepared and organized

**In simple terms:** Being efficient increases chances of success

Key Takeaway

Focus on efficiency to improve outcomes

Themes

success luck efficiency

Mood

analytical pragmatic

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

- business planning
- career advancement
- sports training
- resource allocation

Key Concepts

probability preparedness

Questions to Reflect On

- Can efficiency truly control outcomes?
- Where does randomness intervene in success?

A Different Perspective

Luck also involves randomness beyond control

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Efficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficient/) [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Given Efficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given-efficient-2561661/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-run/) [Long runs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-runs/) [Luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luck/) [Luck Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luck-given-2561660/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Run Luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/run-luck-925217/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/)

## Related quotes

> [“Forever waits for no one, I know this now. There are no guarantees in life, no definitive paths we must take. The bottom line…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-hart/forever-waits-for-no-one-i-know-this-now-there-are-no-guarantees-in/)

[Emma Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-hart/)

> [If you're lucky enough to be raised in a rich family, good. But learn how to respect that luck. It's not a given, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-lambert/if-you-re-lucky-enough-to-be-raised-in-a-rich-family-good-but-learn/)

[Christopher Lambert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-lambert/)

> [“Probability said that someday we would run out of luck—as”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-kranz/probability-said-that-someday-we-would-run-out-of-luck-as/)

[Gene Kranz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-kranz/)

> [In the Long Run Luck is awarded to the efficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-long-run-luck-is-awarded-to-the-efficient/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I've had my run of luck in real life and exhausted it. I've lived my eleven lives and will try my best to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-gallego/i-ve-had-my-run-of-luck-in-real-life-and-exhausted-it-i-ve-lived-my/)

[Ruben Gallego](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-gallego/)

> [There is nothing to be intimidated about - it's just another long run where a few more people show up and they happen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wess-stafford/there-is-nothing-to-be-intimidated-about-it-s-just-another-long-run/)

[Wess Stafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wess-stafford/)

> [In the long run it makes little difference how cleverly others are deceived; if we are not doing what we are best equipped to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothea-brande/in-the-long-run-it-makes-little-difference-how-cleverly-others-are/)

[Dorothea Brande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothea-brande/)

> [A society in which conjugal infidelity is tolerated must always be in the long run a society adverse to women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/a-society-in-which-conjugal-infidelity-is-tolerated-must-always-be-in/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [I don't think telling the truth ever gets anyone in trouble in the long run. Maybe the day after, but not in the long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-spurrier/i-don-t-think-telling-the-truth-ever-gets-anyone-in-trouble-in-the/)

[Steve Spurrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-spurrier/)

> [In the long run my observations have convinced me that some men, reasoning preposterously, first establish some conclusion in their minds which, either because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/in-the-long-run-my-observations-have-convinced-me-that-some-men/)

[Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/)

> [Debunking bad science should be constant obligation of the science community, even if it takes time away from serious research or seems to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-gardner/debunking-bad-science-should-be-constant-obligation-of-the-science/)

[Martin Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-gardner/)

> [As a fighter pilot I know from my own experiences how decisive surprise and luck can be for success, which in the long run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-galland/as-a-fighter-pilot-i-know-from-my-own-experiences-how-decisive/)

[Adolf Galland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-galland/)

> [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/)

[Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/)

> [ \[U\]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shulamith-firestone/u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together-and-on-alliances-of-self/)

[Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shulamith-firestone/)

> [There are few husbands whom the wife cannot win in the long run, by patience and love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-of-valois/there-are-few-husbands-whom-the-wife-cannot-win-in-the-long-run-by/)

[Margaret of Valois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-of-valois/)

## More by Helmuth James Graf von Moltke

> [Since National Socialism came to power, I have striven to make its consequences milder for its victims and to prepare the way for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/since-national-socialism-came-to-power-i-have-striven-to-make-its/)

[Helmuth James Graf von Moltke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/)

> [The Army is the most outstanding institution in every country, for it alone makes possible the existence of all civic institutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/the-army-is-the-most-outstanding-institution-in-every-country-for-it/)

[Helmuth James Graf von Moltke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/)

> [Today, not a numerous, but an active part of the German people are beginning to realize, not that they have been led astray, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/today-not-a-numerous-but-an-active-part-of-the-german-people-are/)

[Helmuth James Graf von Moltke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/)

[Explore all 4 Helmuth James Graf von Moltke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/)

## More Efficient quotes

> [My sentences got sharper and my stories more efficient, and I gradually learned to imagine the reader more clearly and to empathize with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-thompson-walker/my-sentences-got-sharper-and-my-stories-more-efficient-and-i/)

[Karen Thompson Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-thompson-walker/)

> [Normally, it's more efficient to climb fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ondra/normally-it-s-more-efficient-to-climb-fast/)

[Adam Ondra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ondra/)

> [The individual, by means of the discipline imposed on him by sport, not only plays and finds relaxation from the various compulsions to which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-ellul/the-individual-by-means-of-the-discipline-imposed-on-him-by-sport-not/)

[Jacques Ellul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-ellul/)

> [I love using the latest technologies to make life more efficient, but I don't want to advocate that technology replaces the need to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-webb/i-love-using-the-latest-technologies-to-make-life-more-efficient-but/)

[Maynard Webb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-webb/)

> [Business is always a struggle. There are always obstacles and competitors. There is never an open road, except the wide road that leads to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kirubi/business-is-always-a-struggle-there-are-always-obstacles-and/)

[Chris Kirubi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kirubi/)

> [The governments are seen to be less effective than they used to be. The private sector is perceived as being so much more efficient,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-robinson/the-governments-are-seen-to-be-less-effective-than-they-used-to-be/)

[Mary Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-robinson/)

> [I think there's confusion around what the point of social networks is. A lot of different companies characterized as social networks have different goals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/i-think-there-s-confusion-around-what-the-point-of-social-networks-is/)

[Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/)

> [Wind and solar power, energy efficient buildings, cars that go farther on a tank of gas, and other solutions can fight climate change. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-beinecke/wind-and-solar-power-energy-efficient-buildings-cars-that-go-farther/)

[Frances Beinecke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-beinecke/)

> [Everyone has a breaking point, turning point, stress point, the game is permeated with it. The fans don't see it because we make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winfield/everyone-has-a-breaking-point-turning-point-stress-point-the-game-is/)

[Dave Winfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winfield/)

> [The ruler should employ person in tasks according to their abilities because Knowers ( or the means ) and efficient employees make impossible tasks also possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/the-ruler-should-employ-person-in-tasks-according-to-their-abilities/)

[Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/)

> [I'm not small, I'm space-efficient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-small-i-m-space-efficient/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Barge traffic on the Mississippi River represents the most efficient, most cost-effective, most environmentally sound means of transporting commodity goods from this region of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-boswell/barge-traffic-on-the-mississippi-river-represents-the-most-efficient/)

[Leonard Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-boswell/)

> [The human race has not devised any way of dissolving barriers, getting to know the other chap fast, breaking the ice, that is one-tenth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kingsley-amis/the-human-race-has-not-devised-any-way-of-dissolving-barriers-getting/)

[Kingsley Amis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kingsley-amis/)

> [You can be very efficient with lyrics, and you can get the heart fluttering or soaring or make someone cry with a really amazing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-minogue/you-can-be-very-efficient-with-lyrics-and-you-can-get-the-heart/)

[Kylie Minogue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-minogue/)

> [Ever notice how your senses are heightened when you are in challenging situations? You're experiencing an adrenaline rush that gives you extra energy. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/ever-notice-how-your-senses-are-heightened-when-you-are-in/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

[Browse all 847 Efficient quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/efficient/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "In the long run luck is given only to the efficient.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Helmuth James Graf von Moltke"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/in-the-long-run-luck-is-given-only-to-the-efficient/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Efficient"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/in-the-long-run-luck-is-given-only-to-the-efficient/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e5/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke_efficient_in-the-long-run-luck-is-given-only-to-th_1057218.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e5/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke_efficient_in-the-long-run-luck-is-given-only-to-th_1057218.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8e5/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke_efficient_in-the-long-run-luck-is-given-only-to-th_1057218.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“In the long run luck is given only to the efficient.” — Helmuth James Graf von Moltke",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Helmuth James Graf von Moltke",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "In the long run luck is...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/in-the-long-run-luck-is-given-only-to-the-efficient/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helmuth-james-graf-von-moltke/in-the-long-run-luck-is-given-only-to-the-efficient/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
