--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Who you get, and how it works out…" description: "\"Who you get, and how it works out- there's so much luck involved, as well as the million branching consequences of your conscious choice of a mate, tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/ian-mcewan-494_choices_who-you-get-and-how-it-works-out-there-s_38616.png" --- # Who you get, and how it works out- there's so much luck… ![“Who you get, and how it works out- there's so much luck involved, as well as the million branching consequences of your conscious choice of a mate, that no one and no amount of talking can untangle it if it turns out unhappily.” quote by Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/ian-mcewan-494_choices_who-you-get-and-how-it-works-out-there-s_38616.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/ian-mcewan-494_choices_who-you-get-and-how-it-works-out-there-s_38616.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/ian-mcewan-494_choices_who-you-get-and-how-it-works-out-there-s_38616.png) > “Who you get, and how it works out- there's so much luck involved, as well as the million branching consequences of your conscious choice of a mate, that no one and no amount of talking can untangle it if it turns out unhappily.” [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Relationships are shaped by chance and deliberate choices, creating complex outcomes that defy simple analysis. **In simple terms:** Luck and choice intertwine in partnership outcomes. Key Takeaway Unpredictable interplay of chance and decision. Themes fate choice relationships consequences uncertainty Mood reflective thoughtful cautious Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - marriage counseling - friendship dynamics - career partnerships - family planning - relationship coaching Key Concepts agency determinism compatibility Practical Applications - relationship counseling - personal decision‑making frameworks Questions to Reflect On - How much weight should we give to luck when evaluating a partnership? - Can conscious choices truly offset random factors? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequence/) [Luck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luck/) [Work out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-out/) ## Related quotes > [The choice of a mate is crucial because no one has a greater influence on our spiritual lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-anders/the-choice-of-a-mate-is-crucial-because-no-one-has-a-greater/) [Max Anders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-anders/) > [The preoccupation with the choice of a mate both by male and female I regard as a continuing echo of the major selective force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-bronowski/the-preoccupation-with-the-choice-of-a-mate-both-by-male-and-female-i/) [Jacob Bronowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-bronowski/) > [In this industry, everything works on luck. And it is a lot tougher for outsiders like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prachi-desai/in-this-industry-everything-works-on-luck-and-it-is-a-lot-tougher-for/) [Prachi Desai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prachi-desai/) > [Now, brethren, do not expect perfection in your choice of a mate. Do not be so particular that you overlook her most important qualities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/now-brethren-do-not-expect-perfection-in-your-choice-of-a-mate-do-not/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [If there weren't luck involved, I would win every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hellmuth/if-there-weren-t-luck-involved-i-would-win-every-time/) [Phil Hellmuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hellmuth/) > [To create a usable piece of software, you have to fight for every fix, every feature, every little accommodation that will get one more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-winer/to-create-a-usable-piece-of-software-you-have-to-fight-for-every-fix/) [Dave Winer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-winer/) > [I have been hugely lucky; but I think it's like when people say that luck is when preparation meets opportunity, and what you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-barbaro/i-have-been-hugely-lucky-but-i-think-it-s-like-when-people-say-that/) [Monica Barbaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-barbaro/) > [My batting average has been good, so people ask how much luck is involved. I tell them when I work 14 hours a day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armand-hammer/my-batting-average-has-been-good-so-people-ask-how-much-luck-is/) [Armand Hammer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armand-hammer/) > [I guess if there weren't luck involved, I'd win 'em all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hellmuth/i-guess-if-there-weren-t-luck-involved-i-d-win-em-all/) [Phil Hellmuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hellmuth/) > [There's no luck involved in chess. You just have to work at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-fischer/there-s-no-luck-involved-in-chess-you-just-have-to-work-at-it/) [Bobby Fischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-fischer/) > [Success is a result of consistent practice of winning skills and actions. There is nothing miraculous about the process. There is no luck involved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-russell/success-is-a-result-of-consistent-practice-of-winning-skills-and/) [Bill Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-russell/) > [No matter how good you are, there's a lot of luck involved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-miller/no-matter-how-good-you-are-there-s-a-lot-of-luck-involved/) [Reggie Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-miller/) > [I have yet to be in a game where luck was involved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/urban-meyer/i-have-yet-to-be-in-a-game-where-luck-was-involved/) [Urban Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/urban-meyer/) > [There's a lot of luck involved in getting married to the right woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buffer/there-s-a-lot-of-luck-involved-in-getting-married-to-the-right-woman/) [Michael Buffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buffer/) > [You know, there's a lot of luck involved in anybody's success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buffer/you-know-there-s-a-lot-of-luck-involved-in-anybody-s-success/) [Michael Buffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buffer/) ## More by Ian Mcewan > [“As you will see, we do not believe that artists have an obligation to strike up attitudes to the war. Indeed, they are wise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/as-you-will-see-we-do-not-believe-that-artists-have-an-obligation-to/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [You could say that all novels are spy novels and all novelists are spy masters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/you-could-say-that-all-novels-are-spy-novels-and-all-novelists-are/) [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [I've never had a moment's doubt. I love you. I believe in you completely. You are my dearest one. My reason for life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/i-ve-never-had-a-moment-s-doubt-i-love-you-i-believe-in-you/) [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [“It is shaming sometimes, how the body will not, or cannot, lie about emotions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/it-is-shaming-sometimes-how-the-body-will-not-or-cannot-lie-about/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [“While my friends struggled and calculated, I reached a solution by a set of floating steps that were partly visual, partly just a feeling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/while-my-friends-struggled-and-calculated-i-reached-a-solution-by-a/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [“Once, on a walk by a river- Eskdale in low reddish sunlight, with a dusting of snow- his daughter quoted to him an opening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/once-on-a-walk-by-a-river-eskdale-in-low-reddish-sunlight-with-a/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [“Perhaps it's one of those cases of a microcosm giving you the whole world. Like a spode dinner plate. Or a single cell. Or,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/perhaps-it-s-one-of-those-cases-of-a-microcosm-giving-you-the-whole/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [“On Chesil Beach he could have called out to Florence, he could have gone after her. He did not know, or would not have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/on-chesil-beach-he-could-have-called-out-to-florence-he-could-have/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [It was always the view of my parents...that hot weather encouraged loose morals among young people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/it-was-always-the-view-of-my-parents-that-hot-weather-encouraged/) [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [I apologize for being obvious, but every time I watch the curtain come down on even a halfway decent production of a Shakespeare play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/i-apologize-for-being-obvious-but-every-time-i-watch-the-curtain-come/) [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [I would rather be physically disabled obviously than mentally. I would rather be paraplegic than nuts. And it is a terrifying prospect and actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/i-would-rather-be-physically-disabled-obviously-than-mentally-i-would/) [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [“Words, as I'm beginning to appreciate, can make things true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/words-as-i-m-beginning-to-appreciate-can-make-things-true/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [I couldn't think about novels at all. It seemed the only writing that was appropriate to that horrendous event was journalism, reportage. And, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/i-couldn-t-think-about-novels-at-all-it-seemed-the-only-writing-that/) [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [I did not kill my father, but I sometimes felt I had helped him on his way. And but for the fact that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/i-did-not-kill-my-father-but-i-sometimes-felt-i-had-helped-him-on-his/) [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [“These thoughts were as familiar to her, and as comforting, as the precise configuration of her knees, their matching but competing, symmetrical and reversible,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/these-thoughts-were-as-familiar-to-her-and-as-comforting-as-the/) [Ian McEwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) [Explore all 496 Ian Mcewan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) ## More Choices quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) Alison James > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [I don't know that any woman could ever not think about that at some point - even making the choice not to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-watts/i-don-t-know-that-any-woman-could-ever-not-think-about-that-at-some/) [Naomi Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-watts/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Browse all 11,466 Choices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Who you get, and how it works out- there's so much luck involved, as well as the million branching consequences of your conscious choice of a mate, that no one and no amount of talking can untangle it if it turns out unhappily.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ian Mcewan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/who-you-get-and-how-it-works-out-there-s-so-much-luck-involved-as/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Choices" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/who-you-get-and-how-it-works-out-there-s-so-much-luck-involved-as/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/ian-mcewan-494_choices_who-you-get-and-how-it-works-out-there-s_38616.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/ian-mcewan-494_choices_who-you-get-and-how-it-works-out-there-s_38616.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fa4/ian-mcewan-494_choices_who-you-get-and-how-it-works-out-there-s_38616.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Who you get, and how it works out- there's so much luck involved, as well as the million branching…” — Ian Mcewan", "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": "Ian Mcewan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Who you get, and how it...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/who-you-get-and-how-it-works-out-there-s-so-much-luck-involved-as/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/who-you-get-and-how-it-works-out-there-s-so-much-luck-involved-as/#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 } } ] } ```