--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whether the author of the universe, when…" description: "\"“Whether the author of the universe, when the fire gave place and he first took in his hand the shapeless realm of raw matter, established the chain of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/lucan-13971_chance_whether-the-author-of-the-universe-when_3083257.jpg" --- # Whether the author of the universe, when the fire gave… ![“Whether the author of the universe, when the fire gave place and he first took in his hand the shapeless realm of raw matter, established the chain of causes for all eternity, and bound himself as well by universal law, and portioned out the universe, which endures the ages prescribed for it, by a…” quote by Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/lucan-13971_chance_whether-the-author-of-the-universe-when_3083257.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/lucan-13971_chance_whether-the-author-of-the-universe-when_3083257.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/lucan-13971_chance_whether-the-author-of-the-universe-when_3083257.jpg) > ““Whether the author of the universe, when the fire gave place and he first took in his hand the shapeless realm of raw matter, established the chain of causes for all eternity, and bound himself as well by universal law, and portioned out the universe, which endures the ages prescribed for it, by a fixed line of destiny; or whether nothing is ordained and Fortune, moving at random, brings round the cycle of events, and chance is master of mankind - in either case, let they purpose, whatever it be, be sudden; let the mind of man be blind to coming doom; he fears, but leave him hope.”” [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Whether destiny or chance governs the universe, humans should act boldly, accept uncertainty, and cling to hope despite inevitable doom. **In simple terms:** Act boldly despite unknown fate. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty and keep hope alive. Themes philosophy fate hope human agency Mood reflective inspirational Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - personal decision‑making - leadership during crisis - creative projects - risk taking Key Concepts determinism randomness existentialism courage Questions to Reflect On - What does “sudden purpose” mean to you? - How can hope persist amid uncertainty? A Different Perspective The passage mixes mythic language with philosophical speculation, which may limit practical application. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Destiny Ordained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny-ordained-315660/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Portioned Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/portioned-universe-5268626/) [Universal Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal-law-278820/) [Universe Gave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe-gave-1243208/) ## Related quotes > [“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/) > [Adapt yourself to the things among which your lot has been cast and love sincerely the fellow creatures with whom destiny has ordained that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/adapt-yourself-to-the-things-among-which-your-lot-has-been-cast-and/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Destiny is not preordained. Destiny is ordained totally by you. Every single moment of your NOW existence is the result of your previous thought.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/destiny-is-not-preordained-destiny-is-ordained-totally-by-you-every/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [I don't doubt that the explanation for consciousness will arise from the mercilessly scientific account of psychology and neuroscience, but, still, isn't it neat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bloom/i-don-t-doubt-that-the-explanation-for-consciousness-will-arise-from/) [Paul Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bloom/) > [The Kecks will allow us, like no other telescope in history, to view the evolving universe that gave us birth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-faber/the-kecks-will-allow-us-like-no-other-telescope-in-history-to-view/) [Sandra Faber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-faber/) > [“The best thing the universe ever gave us is that we'll all be forgotten”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krystal-sutherland/the-best-thing-the-universe-ever-gave-us-is-that-we-ll-all-be/) [Krystal Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krystal-sutherland/) > [I'll never forget the reaction the WWE Universe gave me at 'WrestleMania 33' and my return - it was truly one of the greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hardy/i-ll-never-forget-the-reaction-the-wwe-universe-gave-me-at/) [Matt Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hardy/) > [Tzu Li went to see Tzu Lai who was dying. Leaning against the door, he said, 'Great is the Creator! What will he make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhuangzi/tzu-li-went-to-see-tzu-lai-who-was-dying-leaning-against-the-door-he/) [Zhuangzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhuangzi/) > [It is possible to have second chances. When I thought everything was lost, when I reached bottom and things didn't go my way, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-velasquez/it-is-possible-to-have-second-chances-when-i-thought-everything-was/) [Patricia Velasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-velasquez/) > [“God created Universe and gave credit to science.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandeep-kakkar/god-created-universe-and-gave-credit-to-science/) [Sandeep Kakkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandeep-kakkar/) > [There is one universal law that has been formed, or at least adoptedby the majority of mankind. That law is justice. Justice forms the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/there-is-one-universal-law-that-has-been-formed-or-at-least-adoptedby/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [“Truth flows from universal law, not personal views.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-agno/truth-flows-from-universal-law-not-personal-views/) [John Agno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-agno/) > [“A faulty understanding of science, along with rigorism and spiritual flattening in religion, termed scientism or biblicism, respectively, have taken hold of the Book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florian-dreveskracht/a-faulty-understanding-of-science-along-with-rigorism-and-spiritual/) [Florian Dreveskracht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florian-dreveskracht/) > [In the world of celebrity, there is one universal law: if there's a scandal or death, Al Sharpton will be there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-amos/in-the-world-of-celebrity-there-is-one-universal-law-if-there-s-a/) [Shawn Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-amos/) > [“Feel sorry for anyone who thinks what they think is right should be some universal law”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huntley-fitzpatrick/feel-sorry-for-anyone-who-thinks-what-they-think-is-right-should-be/) [Huntley Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huntley-fitzpatrick/) ## More by Lucan > [He is covered by the heavens who has no sepulchral urn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/he-is-covered-by-the-heavens-who-has-no-sepulchral-urn/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [Deny a strong man his due, and he will take all he can get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/deny-a-strong-man-his-due-and-he-will-take-all-he-can-get/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [Nobody ever chooses the already unfortunate as objects of his loyal friendship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/nobody-ever-chooses-the-already-unfortunate-as-objects-of-his-loyal/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [No man is ever innocent when his opponent is the judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/no-man-is-ever-innocent-when-his-opponent-is-the-judge/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [An idle life always produces varied inclinations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/an-idle-life-always-produces-varied-inclinations/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [...Men fear what they themselves have imagined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/men-fear-what-they-themselves-have-imagined/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [“The man prepared to die will not be beaten cheaply.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/the-man-prepared-to-die-will-not-be-beaten-cheaply/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [The abode of God, too, is wherever is earth and sea and air, and sky and virtue. Why further do we seek the Gods…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/the-abode-of-god-too-is-wherever-is-earth-and-sea-and-air-and-sky-and/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [The prosperous man does not know whether he is loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/the-prosperous-man-does-not-know-whether-he-is-loved/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [A crime which is the crime of many none avenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/a-crime-which-is-the-crime-of-many-none-avenge/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [I have a wife, I have sons: all of them hostages given to fate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/i-have-a-wife-i-have-sons-all-of-them-hostages-given-to-fate/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [Some men by ancestry are only the shadow of a mighty name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/some-men-by-ancestry-are-only-the-shadow-of-a-mighty-name/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [“Inde lacessitum primo mare, cum rudis Argo Miscuit ignotas temerato litore gentes Priamque cum ventis pelagique furentibus undis Conposuit mortale genus, fatisque per ilam…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/inde-lacessitum-primo-mare-cum-rudis-argo-miscuit-ignotas-temerato/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [Neither side is guiltless if its adversary is appointed judge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/neither-side-is-guiltless-if-its-adversary-is-appointed-judge/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) > [As great edifices collapse of their own weight, so Heaven sets a similar limit to the growth of prosperous states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/as-great-edifices-collapse-of-their-own-weight-so-heaven-sets-a/) [Lucan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) [Explore all 47 Lucan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/) ## More Chance quotes > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [I understand it's promotion, but no one ever gave me a chance. No one ever thought I'd be the champ, and look where I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stipe-miocic/i-understand-it-s-promotion-but-no-one-ever-gave-me-a-chance-no-one/) [Stipe Miocic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stipe-miocic/) > [I might, by chance, write something just as shoddy; But then I wouldn't show it to everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/i-might-by-chance-write-something-just-as-shoddy-but-then-i-wouldn-t/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [The happy medium is television. And if you find a good suitor, you can do it for years. With movies, you roll the dice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-campbell/the-happy-medium-is-television-and-if-you-find-a-good-suitor-you-can/) [Bruce Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-campbell/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I have heard that if you pull a bent breath through the second hole of a harmonica tuned to the key of Georgia while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-wakefield/i-have-heard-that-if-you-pull-a-bent-breath-through-the-second-hole/) [Buddy Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-wakefield/) > [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/) > [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [Love changes people, for better or for worse. You could look at it as a chance for you to change. The best kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-changes-people-for-better-or-for-worse-you-could-look-at-it-as-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It's not who, it's when”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-taubas/it-s-not-who-it-s-when/) [Alejandro Taubas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-taubas/) > [Childhood is Last Chance Gulch for happiness. After that, you know too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/childhood-is-last-chance-gulch-for-happiness-after-that-you-know-too/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [I thought my first few jobs would just be off, off, off, off, off broadway. And by chance and how the world works, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-dorfman/i-thought-my-first-few-jobs-would-just-be-off-off-off-off-off/) [Tommy Dorfman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-dorfman/) > [If you’re worrying about the past, you’ve got a good chance of screwing up the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-a-tullman/if-you-re-worrying-about-the-past-you-ve-got-a-good-chance-of/) [Howard A. Tullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-a-tullman/) > [To be successful, one must take chances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willie-stargell/to-be-successful-one-must-take-chances/) [Willie Stargell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willie-stargell/) [Browse all 12,460 Chance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Whether the author of the universe, when the fire gave place and he first took in his hand the shapeless realm of raw matter, established the chain of causes for all eternity, and bound himself as well by universal law, and portioned out the universe, which endures the ages prescribed for it, by a fixed line of destiny; or whether nothing is ordained and Fortune, moving at random, brings round the cycle of events, and chance is master of mankind - in either case, let they purpose, whatever it be, be sudden; let the mind of man be blind to coming doom; he fears, but leave him hope.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lucan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/whether-the-author-of-the-universe-when-the-fire-gave-place-and-he/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Chance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/whether-the-author-of-the-universe-when-the-fire-gave-place-and-he/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/lucan-13971_chance_whether-the-author-of-the-universe-when_3083257.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/lucan-13971_chance_whether-the-author-of-the-universe-when_3083257.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a14/lucan-13971_chance_whether-the-author-of-the-universe-when_3083257.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Whether the author of the universe, when the fire gave place and he first took in his hand the shapeless…” — Lucan", "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": "Lucan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Whether the author of the universe,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/whether-the-author-of-the-universe-when-the-fire-gave-place-and-he/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucan/whether-the-author-of-the-universe-when-the-fire-gave-place-and-he/#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 } } ] } ```