---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you are really Master of your Fate, it…"
description: "\"If you are really Master of your Fate, it shouldn't make any difference to you whether Cleopatra or the Bearded Lady is your mate.\" — Ogden Nash"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbf/ogden-nash-1286_cleopatra_if-you-are-really-master-of-your-fate-it_1371609.png"
---

#  If you are really Master of your Fate, it shouldn't make…

![“If you are really Master of your Fate, it shouldn't make any difference to you whether Cleopatra or the Bearded Lady is your mate.” quote by Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbf/ogden-nash-1286_cleopatra_if-you-are-really-master-of-your-fate-it_1371609.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbf/ogden-nash-1286_cleopatra_if-you-are-really-master-of-your-fate-it_1371609.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fbf/ogden-nash-1286_cleopatra_if-you-are-really-master-of-your-fate-it_1371609.png)

> “If you are really Master of your Fate, it shouldn't make any difference to you whether Cleopatra or the Bearded Lady is your mate.”

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Fate is indifferent to who you love; mastery lies in personal agency, not partner identity.

**In simple terms:** Your fate isn’t changed by who you love; be master of it.

Key Takeaway

Focus on self‑control, not partner choice.

Themes

freedom self‑determination love

Mood

lighthearted reflective

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

- career decisions
- relationship choices
- personal growth

Key Concepts

existentialism choice theory

Questions to Reflect On

- What aspects of your life can you truly control?
- Do relationships define your destiny?

A Different Perspective

External factors can still impact outcomes despite personal mastery.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Fate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fate/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wife/)

## Related quotes

> [“There's beggary in the love that can be reckoned. (Anthony and Cleopatra - William Shakespeare.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-stuart/there-s-beggary-in-the-love-that-can-be-reckoned-anthony-and/)

Sarah Stuart

> [The truth is very few of us are related to Napoleon or Cleopatra. Although, those are bad examples as I am actually descended from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-piddock/the-truth-is-very-few-of-us-are-related-to-napoleon-or-cleopatra/)

[Jim Piddock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-piddock/)

> [“Cleopatra's nose, had it been shorter, the whole face of the world would have been changed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/cleopatra-s-nose-had-it-been-shorter-the-whole-face-of-the-world/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

> [The interesting thing about Cleopatra is that she is such a shape-shifter. I mean through history we've all molded her to our times and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/the-interesting-thing-about-cleopatra-is-that-she-is-such-a-shape/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [“History existed to be retold, with more panache but not necessarily greater accuracy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/history-existed-to-be-retold-with-more-panache-but-not-necessarily/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [Cleopatra stood at one of the most dangerous intersections in history; that of women and power. Clever women, Euripides had warned hundreds of years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/cleopatra-stood-at-one-of-the-most-dangerous-intersections-in-history/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [“Against a powerful enchantress there is no contest. Against a woman who ensnares a man in the coils of her serpentine intelligence - in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/against-a-powerful-enchantress-there-is-no-contest-against-a-woman/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [“O, whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See How I convey my shame out of thine eyes By looking back what I have left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-whither-hast-thou-led-me-egypt-see-how-i-convey-my-shame-out-of/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [“Her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love; we cannot call her winds and waters, sighs and tears; they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/her-passions-are-made-of-nothing-but-the-finest-part-of-pure-love-we/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Girls have always wanted to be pretty, even in Egyptian times. Cleopatra wore all that eyeliner, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/girls-have-always-wanted-to-be-pretty-even-in-egyptian-times/)

[Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/)

> [No one in the modern world controls the wealth or territory that Cleopatra did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/no-one-in-the-modern-world-controls-the-wealth-or-territory-that/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [What we know about Cleopatra's looks is based purely on her coin portraits. Engraving was imperfect, and that when you are a ruler and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/what-we-know-about-cleopatra-s-looks-is-based-purely-on-her-coin/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [Vanity is illustrated in the cause and effect of love, as in the case of Cleopatra.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/vanity-is-illustrated-in-the-cause-and-effect-of-love-as-in-the-case/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

> [I'm certainly no Cleopatra. I have legs like a schoolgirl and I don't know how I acquired the knack of attracting producers with very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-tushingham/i-m-certainly-no-cleopatra-i-have-legs-like-a-schoolgirl-and-i-don-t/)

[Rita Tushingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-tushingham/)

> [“Not romantic," she disagreed. "To me it would be romantic if Antony properly fell on his sword and kicked the bucket and Cleopatra escaped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-gantos/not-romantic-she-disagreed-to-me-it-would-be-romantic-if-antony/)

[Jack Gantos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-gantos/)

## More by Ogden Nash

> [There is only one way to achieve happiness on this terrestrial ball, and that is to have either a clear conscience or none at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/there-is-only-one-way-to-achieve-happiness-on-this-terrestrial-ball/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [The sky is now indelible ink, The branches reft asunder; But you and I we do not shrink; We love the lovely thunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/the-sky-is-now-indelible-ink-the-branches-reft-asunder-but-you-and-i/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [Middle-aged life is merry, and I love to lead it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/middle-aged-life-is-merry-and-i-love-to-lead-it/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [When a lady's erotic life is vexed God knows what God is coming next.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/when-a-lady-s-erotic-life-is-vexed-god-knows-what-god-is-coming-next/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [“Love is a word that is constantly heard, Hate is a word that is not. Love, I am told, is more precious that gold.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/love-is-a-word-that-is-constantly-heard-hate-is-a-word-that-is-not/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [A husband is a guy who tells you when you've got on too much lipstick and helps you with your girdle when your hips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/a-husband-is-a-guy-who-tells-you-when-you-ve-got-on-too-much-lipstick/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [Marriage is the alliance of two people, one of whom never remembers birthdays and the other never forgets them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/marriage-is-the-alliance-of-two-people-one-of-whom-never-remembers/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [I claim there ain't Another Saint As great as Valentine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/i-claim-there-ain-t-another-saint-as-great-as-valentine/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [“Senescence begins And middle-age ends The day your descendants Outnumber your friends”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/senescence-begins-and-middle-age-ends-the-day-your-descendants/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [Poets arent very usefulBecause they aren't consumeful or produceful..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/poets-arent-very-usefulbecause-they-aren-t-consumeful-or-produceful/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [I don't mind their having a lot of money, and I don't care how they employ it, but I do think that they damn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/i-don-t-mind-their-having-a-lot-of-money-and-i-don-t-care-how-they/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [To maintain your marriage brimming, with really like in the wedding cup, anytime you are incorrect, admit it each time you're proper, shut up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/to-maintain-your-marriage-brimming-with-really-like-in-the-wedding/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [No, you never get any fun Out of the things you haven't done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/no-you-never-get-any-fun-out-of-the-things-you-haven-t-done/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [“Which the Chicken and Which the Egg? He drinks because she scolds, he thinks; She thinks she scolds because he drinks; And nether will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/which-the-chicken-and-which-the-egg-he-drinks-because-she-scolds-he/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

> [“People can't concentrate properly on blowing other people to pieces if their minds are poisoned by thoughts suitable to the twenty-fifth of December.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/people-can-t-concentrate-properly-on-blowing-other-people-to-pieces/)

[Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

[Explore all 261 Ogden Nash quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/)

## More Cleopatra quotes

> [“There's beggary in the love that can be reckoned. (Anthony and Cleopatra - William Shakespeare.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-stuart/there-s-beggary-in-the-love-that-can-be-reckoned-anthony-and/)

Sarah Stuart

> [I'm certainly no Cleopatra. I have legs like a schoolgirl and I don't know how I acquired the knack of attracting producers with very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-tushingham/i-m-certainly-no-cleopatra-i-have-legs-like-a-schoolgirl-and-i-don-t/)

[Rita Tushingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-tushingham/)

> [Vanity is illustrated in the cause and effect of love, as in the case of Cleopatra.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/vanity-is-illustrated-in-the-cause-and-effect-of-love-as-in-the-case/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

> [What we know about Cleopatra's looks is based purely on her coin portraits. Engraving was imperfect, and that when you are a ruler and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/what-we-know-about-cleopatra-s-looks-is-based-purely-on-her-coin/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [No one in the modern world controls the wealth or territory that Cleopatra did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/no-one-in-the-modern-world-controls-the-wealth-or-territory-that/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [Girls have always wanted to be pretty, even in Egyptian times. Cleopatra wore all that eyeliner, you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-ora/girls-have-always-wanted-to-be-pretty-even-in-egyptian-times/)

[Rita Ora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-ora/)

> [“Her passions are made of nothing but the finest part of pure love; we cannot call her winds and waters, sighs and tears; they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/her-passions-are-made-of-nothing-but-the-finest-part-of-pure-love-we/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [“O, whither hast thou led me, Egypt? See How I convey my shame out of thine eyes By looking back what I have left…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-whither-hast-thou-led-me-egypt-see-how-i-convey-my-shame-out-of/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [“Against a powerful enchantress there is no contest. Against a woman who ensnares a man in the coils of her serpentine intelligence - in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/against-a-powerful-enchantress-there-is-no-contest-against-a-woman/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [Cleopatra stood at one of the most dangerous intersections in history; that of women and power. Clever women, Euripides had warned hundreds of years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/cleopatra-stood-at-one-of-the-most-dangerous-intersections-in-history/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [“History existed to be retold, with more panache but not necessarily greater accuracy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/history-existed-to-be-retold-with-more-panache-but-not-necessarily/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [The interesting thing about Cleopatra is that she is such a shape-shifter. I mean through history we've all molded her to our times and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-schiff/the-interesting-thing-about-cleopatra-is-that-she-is-such-a-shape/)

[Stacy Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-schiff/)

> [“Cleopatra's nose, had it been shorter, the whole face of the world would have been changed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/cleopatra-s-nose-had-it-been-shorter-the-whole-face-of-the-world/)

[Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/)

> [The truth is very few of us are related to Napoleon or Cleopatra. Although, those are bad examples as I am actually descended from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-piddock/the-truth-is-very-few-of-us-are-related-to-napoleon-or-cleopatra/)

[Jim Piddock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-piddock/)

> [“Not romantic," she disagreed. "To me it would be romantic if Antony properly fell on his sword and kicked the bucket and Cleopatra escaped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-gantos/not-romantic-she-disagreed-to-me-it-would-be-romantic-if-antony/)

[Jack Gantos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-gantos/)

Browse all 89 Cleopatra quotes

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