Accidents Quote by Henry Miller
“Over there you think of nothing but becoming President of the United States some day. Potentially every man is Presidential timber. Here it's different. Here every man is potentially a zero. If you become something or somebody it is an accident, a miracle.”
About This Quote
The passage reflects on the randomness of success, noting that while many have potential, achieving greatness is often accidental or miraculous.
In simple terms: Success is often accidental despite potential.
Key Takeaway
Recognize luck's role in achievement.
Themes
potential
success
chance
Mood
realistic
hopeful
Type
motivational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- entrepreneurship
- political ambition
- artistic fame
Key Concepts
randomness
miracle
social mobility
Questions to Reflect On
- What factors beyond effort influence success?
- How do you handle setbacks when outcomes feel random?
A Different Perspective
Not everyone who tries will succeed; structural barriers exist.
![“... in 1912, although he, more even than other members of the Senate and the House, thought himself presidential timber (a delusion from which vanishingly few senators and representatives are wholly free when they gaze enraptured into their mirrors of a morning), Senator [William Alden] Smith…” quote by Markham Shaw Pyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d6b/markham-shaw-pyle-22408_congress_in-1912-although-he-more-even-than-other_191616.jpg)
