--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Providence makes use of instruments I'd…" description: "\"“Providence makes use of instruments I'd not touch with a ten-foot pole.”\" — Owen Wister" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/owen-wister-21300_quote_providence-makes-use-of-instruments-i-d_1186882.jpg" --- # Providence makes use of instruments I'd not touch with a… ![“Providence makes use of instruments I'd not touch with a ten-foot pole.” quote by Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/owen-wister-21300_quote_providence-makes-use-of-instruments-i-d_1186882.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/owen-wister-21300_quote_providence-makes-use-of-instruments-i-d_1186882.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/owen-wister-21300_quote_providence-makes-use-of-instruments-i-d_1186882.jpg) > ““Providence makes use of instruments I'd not touch with a ten-foot pole.”” [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Higher forces work through people we would otherwise avoid. **In simple terms:** Destiny uses unlikely helpers. Key Takeaway Embrace unexpected allies. Themes destiny instrumentality humility Mood hopeful thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - business negotiations - personal crises - creative collaborations - spiritual growth Key Concepts philosophy literature Questions to Reflect On - Who might be the unexpected instrument in your life? - When should you trust intuition over logic? A Different Perspective Reliance on others can be risky. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Providence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/providence/) ## Related quotes > [I always try not to overload my music with orchestration and to use only those instruments that are absolutely necessary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abel-korzeniowski/i-always-try-not-to-overload-my-music-with-orchestration-and-to-use/) [Abel Korzeniowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abel-korzeniowski/) > [The thing I've learned is it's good to restrict your palette somewhat. I will try and, say, use two or three instruments on one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thighpaulsandra/the-thing-i-ve-learned-is-it-s-good-to-restrict-your-palette-somewhat/) [Thighpaulsandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thighpaulsandra/) > [ “Of what use are the instruments \[religious practices\] if they do not help one attain their goal?” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/of-what-use-are-the-instruments-religious-practices-if-they-do-not/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [I have just begun a work in which an important part is given to a large chorus and with it I want to use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgard-varese/i-have-just-begun-a-work-in-which-an-important-part-is-given-to-a/) [Edgard Varese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgard-varese/) > [Today I must humbly thank Providence, whose grace has enabled me, who was once an unknown soldier in the War, to bring to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/today-i-must-humbly-thank-providence-whose-grace-has-enabled-me-who/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [Spirituality does two things for you. One, you are forced to become more selfless, two, you trust to providence. The opposite of a spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imran-khan/spirituality-does-two-things-for-you-one-you-are-forced-to-become/) [Imran Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imran-khan/) > [Providence and Manifest Destiny are synonyms often invoked to support arguments based on wishful thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/providence-and-manifest-destiny-are-synonyms-often-invoked-to-support/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [My trust is in the mercy and wisdom of a kind Providence, who ordereth all things for our good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/my-trust-is-in-the-mercy-and-wisdom-of-a-kind-providence-who-ordereth/) [Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/) > [The wisdom of providence is as much revealed in the rarity of genius, as in the circumstance that not everyone is deaf or blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-c-lichtenberg/the-wisdom-of-providence-is-as-much-revealed-in-the-rarity-of-genius/) [Georg C. Lichtenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-c-lichtenberg/) > [“The banana flavour of his accidental conception, and the banana theme of his accidental death, now all seemed to conspire against him and rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-conrad/the-banana-flavour-of-his-accidental-conception-and-the-banana-theme/) [Tom Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-conrad/) > [Providence has given us hope and sleep as a compensation for the many cares of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/providence-has-given-us-hope-and-sleep-as-a-compensation-for-the-many/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [Kings or parliaments could not give the rights essential to happiness... We claim them from a higher source - from the King of kings,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dickinson/kings-or-parliaments-could-not-give-the-rights-essential-to-happiness/) [John Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dickinson/) > [God tempers the cold to the shorn sheep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-etienne-sainte-claire-deville/god-tempers-the-cold-to-the-shorn-sheep/) Henri Etienne Sainte-Claire Deville > [“Really? I'm trying to place you. It seems like we've met before." Did I just issue him a pick up line? Fantastic, I've now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-mcguire/really-i-m-trying-to-place-you-it-seems-like-we-ve-met-before-did-i/) [Jamie McGuire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-mcguire/) > [Like many other scientists who hold the Catholic faith, I see the Creator's plan and purpose fulfilled in our universe. I see a planet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-r-miller/like-many-other-scientists-who-hold-the-catholic-faith-i-see-the/) [Kenneth R. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-r-miller/) ## More by Owen Wister > [“It was through the Declaration of Independence that we Americans acknowledged the eternal inequality of man. For by it we abolished a cut-and-dried aristocracy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/it-was-through-the-declaration-of-independence-that-we-americans/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [I reckon some parsons have a right to tell yu' to be good. The bishop of this hyeh Territory has a right. But I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/i-reckon-some-parsons-have-a-right-to-tell-yu-to-be-good-the-bishop/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [“All America is divided into two classes - the quality and the equality. The latter will always recognize the former when mistaken for it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/all-america-is-divided-into-two-classes-the-quality-and-the-equality/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [“Here in flesh and blood was a truth which I had long believed in words, but never met before. The creature we call a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/here-in-flesh-and-blood-was-a-truth-which-i-had-long-believed-in/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [I thought there should in truth be heavy damages for malpractice on human souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/i-thought-there-should-in-truth-be-heavy-damages-for-malpractice-on/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [“The cowboy has now gone to worlds invisible; the wind has blown away the white ashes of his campfires; but the empty sardine box…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/the-cowboy-has-now-gone-to-worlds-invisible-the-wind-has-blown-away/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [But no earthly foot can step between a man and his destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/but-no-earthly-foot-can-step-between-a-man-and-his-destiny/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [With a gun against my belly I... I always smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/with-a-gun-against-my-belly-i-i-always-smile/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [“Forgive my asking you to use your mind. It is a thing which no novelist should expect of his reader...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/forgive-my-asking-you-to-use-your-mind-it-is-a-thing-which-no/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [An aristocrat in morals as in mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/an-aristocrat-in-morals-as-in-mind/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [“He possessed that quality in his profanity of not offending by it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/he-possessed-that-quality-in-his-profanity-of-not-offending-by-it/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [“When a man ain't got no ideas of his own," said Scipio, "he'd ought to be kind o' careful who he borrows 'em from.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/when-a-man-ain-t-got-no-ideas-of-his-own-said-scipio-he-d-ought-to-be/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [“It was through the Declaration of Independence that we Americans acknowledged the eternal quality of man. For by it we abolished a cut-and-dried aristocracy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/it-was-through-the-declaration-of-independence-that-we-americans-2/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [When a man ain't got no ideas of his own, he'd ought to be kind o' careful who he borrows 'em from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/when-a-man-ain-t-got-no-ideas-of-his-own-he-d-ought-to-be-kind-o/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) > [Said Aristotle unto Plato, 'Have another sweet potato?' Said Plato unto Aristotle, 'Thank you, I prefer the bottle.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/said-aristotle-unto-plato-have-another-sweet-potato-said-plato-unto/) [Owen Wister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) [Explore all 29 Owen Wister quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/) ## More Instruments quotes > [Money is the kind of instrument which is very speedily produced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatoly-chubais/money-is-the-kind-of-instrument-which-is-very-speedily-produced/) [Anatoly Chubais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatoly-chubais/) > [Each woman is like an instrument, waiting to be learned, loved, and finely played, to have at last her own true music made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/each-woman-is-like-an-instrument-waiting-to-be-learned-loved-and/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [The only thing I try to watch carefully is that I never lose the love for the instrument. That's also why I decided against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nils-frahm/the-only-thing-i-try-to-watch-carefully-is-that-i-never-lose-the-love/) [Nils Frahm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nils-frahm/) > [It's difficult for people to come to the understanding that only a small minority of the people ever really get the word about life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-nightingale/it-s-difficult-for-people-to-come-to-the-understanding-that-only-a/) [Earl Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-nightingale/) > [Jazz is not something that can be defined through blunt instruments. It is much more poetic than that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/jazz-is-not-something-that-can-be-defined-through-blunt-instruments/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-h-peterson/like-a-child-exploring-the-attic-of-an-old-house-on-a-rainy-day/) [Eugene H. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-h-peterson/) > [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can be played all different kinds of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/kenny-g-i-have-to-be-grateful-to-him-for-proving-that-the-instrument/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Mechanical instruments, potentially a vehicle of rational human purposes, are scarcely a blessing when they enable the gossip of the village idiot and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/mechanical-instruments-potentially-a-vehicle-of-rational-human/) [Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [From the 1990s onward, the financial sector created a vast array of instruments designed to separate investors from their money, financial derivatives of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-l-casti/from-the-1990s-onward-the-financial-sector-created-a-vast-array-of/) [John L. Casti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-l-casti/) > [ \[The Community's\] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-guerin/the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give-me-confidence-but-i-derive-my/) [Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-guerin/) > [I play, like, 12 instruments. Guitar, piano, harmonica, African drums... I'm working on mastering the accordion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucas-grabeel/i-play-like-12-instruments-guitar-piano-harmonica-african-drums-i-m/) [Lucas Grabeel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucas-grabeel/) > [“Scattered among these things are reminders that sound once existed: a metronome, a drumming pad, a guitar pick, a trumpet mouthpiece, a music stand,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-o-brien/scattered-among-these-things-are-reminders-that-sound-once-existed-a/) [Geoffrey O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-o-brien/) > [Good things come to those who hustle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-noll/good-things-come-to-those-who-hustle/) [Chuck Noll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-noll/) Browse all 2,654 Instruments quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Providence makes use of instruments I'd not touch with a ten-foot pole.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Owen Wister" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/providence-makes-use-of-instruments-i-d-not-touch-with-a-ten-foot-pole/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Instruments" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/providence-makes-use-of-instruments-i-d-not-touch-with-a-ten-foot-pole/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/owen-wister-21300_quote_providence-makes-use-of-instruments-i-d_1186882.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/owen-wister-21300_quote_providence-makes-use-of-instruments-i-d_1186882.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/361/owen-wister-21300_quote_providence-makes-use-of-instruments-i-d_1186882.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Providence makes use of instruments I'd not touch with a ten-foot pole.” — Owen Wister", "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": "Owen Wister", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-wister/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Providence makes use of instruments I'd...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/providence-makes-use-of-instruments-i-d-not-touch-with-a-ten-foot-pole/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-wister/providence-makes-use-of-instruments-i-d-not-touch-with-a-ten-foot-pole/#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 } } ] } ```