--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Owen Meany believed that “coincidence”…" description: "\"Owen Meany believed that “coincidence” was a stupid, shallow refuge sought by stupid, shallow people who were unable to accept the fact that their live..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/john-irving-337_accepting_owen-meany-believed-that-coincidence-was_2547127.png" --- # Owen Meany believed that “coincidence” was a stupid… ![“Owen Meany believed that “coincidence” was a stupid, shallow refuge sought by stupid, shallow people who were unable to accept the fact that their lives were shaped by a terrifying and awesome design – more powerful and unstoppable than the Yankee Flyer. (a train)” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/john-irving-337_accepting_owen-meany-believed-that-coincidence-was_2547127.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/john-irving-337_accepting_owen-meany-believed-that-coincidence-was_2547127.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/john-irving-337_accepting_owen-meany-believed-that-coincidence-was_2547127.png) > “Owen Meany believed that “coincidence” was a stupid, shallow refuge sought by stupid, shallow people who were unable to accept the fact that their lives were shaped by a terrifying and awesome design – more powerful and unstoppable than the Yankee Flyer. (a train)” [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) ## 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 hide behind coincidence to avoid confronting the deep, powerful forces shaping their lives. **In simple terms:** Avoid blaming randomness for life's events. Key Takeaway Accept responsibility for your path. Themes fate responsibility meaning Mood thoughtful introspective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - career choices - relationship decisions - personal crises - creative work Key Concepts determinism existentialism Questions to Reflect On - Do you see patterns beyond chance? - How does belief in design affect your choices? 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Miss Frost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/nostalgia-miss-frost-cried-you-re-nostalgic-she-repeated-just-how-old/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [ “JUST BECAUSE A BUNCH OF ATHEISTS ARE BETTER WRITERS THAN THE GUYS WHO WROTE THE BIBLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE THEM RIGHT!" \[Owen Meany\] said… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/just-because-a-bunch-of-atheists-are-better-writers-than-the-guys-who/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [It is much easier to be flexible about where a story begins than it ever was for me to change my mind about where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/it-is-much-easier-to-be-flexible-about-where-a-story-begins-than-it/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [“Only the chicken-lover will understand me. He will give me a kindly look, maybe mildly desirous. 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