Fortune Quote by Niccolò Machiavelli
““Nevertheless, that our freewill may not be altogether extinguished, I think it may be true that fortune is the ruler of half our actions, but that she allows the other half or a little less to be governed by us.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Prince, 1532
Human agency is limited; chance or fortune controls much of what we do, yet we retain some control over our actions.
In simple terms: We are partly guided by luck, partly by our choices.
Key Takeaway
Recognize luck’s role, but act deliberately.
Themes
politics
human nature
free will
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- leadership decisions
- personal planning
- risk assessment
- policy making
Key Concepts
determinism
agency
fortune
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance acceptance of fate with personal responsibility?
- When does reliance on luck become a excuse?
A Different Perspective
Luck can dominate outcomes despite careful planning.
