--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We often learn the hard way that our…" description: "\"We often learn the hard way that our world is ruled by external factors. We don't always get what is rightfully ours, even if we've earned it.\" — Ryan ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/ryan-holiday-514_always_we-often-learn-the-hard-way-that-our-wor_41465.jpg" --- # We often learn the hard way that our world is ruled by… ![“We often learn the hard way that our world is ruled by external factors. We don't always get what is rightfully ours, even if we've earned it.” quote by Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/ryan-holiday-514_always_we-often-learn-the-hard-way-that-our-wor_41465.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/ryan-holiday-514_always_we-often-learn-the-hard-way-that-our-wor_41465.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9f/ryan-holiday-514_always_we-often-learn-the-hard-way-that-our-wor_41465.jpg) > “We often learn the hard way that our world is ruled by external factors. We don't always get what is rightfully ours, even if we've earned it.” [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Life is shaped by forces beyond personal control, so entitlement and effort don't guarantee outcomes. **In simple terms:** External forces limit personal agency. Key Takeaway Expect unpredictability despite merit. Themes control merit unpredictability justice resilience Mood thoughtful cautious realistic Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career advancement - financial investments - personal relationships - legal disputes - creative projects Key Concepts external factors entitlement effort Practical Applications - risk management - strategic planning Questions to Reflect On - How can you adapt when outcomes defy expectations? - What strategies mitigate reliance on external validation? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [In judging our progress as individuals we tend to concentrate on external factors such as one's social position, influence and popularity, wealth and standard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/in-judging-our-progress-as-individuals-we-tend-to-concentrate-on/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [ People who hold a low view of themselves \[will credit\] their achievements to external factors, rather than to their own capabilities. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-bandura/people-who-hold-a-low-view-of-themselves-will-credit-their/) [Albert Bandura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-bandura/) > [“Never let external factors affect how you are going to make your body and mind stronger today.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pense-andrew/never-let-external-factors-affect-how-you-are-going-to-make-your-body/) Pense Andrew > [No house exists in a vacuum. External factors affect them, whether it's the climate or time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-baeumler/no-house-exists-in-a-vacuum-external-factors-affect-them-whether-it-s/) [Bryan Baeumler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-baeumler/) > [When the external factors over which one has no control in a way start to become negative, it starts to affect our creative juices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-the-external-factors-over-which-one-has-no-control-in-a-way/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [“Your success in life depends on you more than any other external factors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/your-success-in-life-depends-on-you-more-than-any-other-external/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [The internal drive to win golf tournaments is really what drives me, and so the external factors are not as much of a factor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-cantlay/the-internal-drive-to-win-golf-tournaments-is-really-what-drives-me/) [Patrick Cantlay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-cantlay/) > [Happiness mainly comes from our own attitude, rather than from external factors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/happiness-mainly-comes-from-our-own-attitude-rather-than-from/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I can't worry about external factors, I have to focus on myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shinji-kagawa/i-can-t-worry-about-external-factors-i-have-to-focus-on-myself/) [Shinji Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shinji-kagawa/) > [So I think the biggest thing that I've learnt in my career is not allowing external factors to determine my self-worth - external factors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-labbe/so-i-think-the-biggest-thing-that-i-ve-learnt-in-my-career-is-not/) [Stephanie Labbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-labbe/) > [In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally start living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kirkman/in-a-world-ruled-by-the-dead-we-are-forced-to-finally-start-living/) [Robert Kirkman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kirkman/) > [This world is inescapably linked to the motions of the worlds above. All power in this world is ruled by these options.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/this-world-is-inescapably-linked-to-the-motions-of-the-worlds-above/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [No matter how powerful, countries cannot rule the whole world. The world is ruled by brains, by justice, by morals and by fairness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdullah-of-saudi-arabia/no-matter-how-powerful-countries-cannot-rule-the-whole-world-the/) [Abdullah of Saudi Arabia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdullah-of-saudi-arabia/) > [The world is ruled by force, not by opinion; but opinion uses force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-world-is-ruled-by-force-not-by-opinion-but-opinion-uses-force/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [Lets face it this world is ruled by girls that why we must away pleases our girls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mrawesome/lets-face-it-this-world-is-ruled-by-girls-that-why-we-must-away/) MrAwesome ## More by Ryan Holiday > [“If we can focus on making clear what parts of our day are within our control and what parts are not, we will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/if-we-can-focus-on-making-clear-what-parts-of-our-day-are-within-our/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“The areas of great interest to the Stoics all make an appearance here: virtue, mortality, emotions, self-awareness, fortitude, right action, problem solving, acceptance, mental…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-areas-of-great-interest-to-the-stoics-all-make-an-appearance-here/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“With a business, we take most failures less personally and understand they’re part of the process.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/with-a-business-we-take-most-failures-less-personally-and-understand/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“Many creatives want to be just the creator, or only “the idea guy.” They like that because it’s sexy and because that’s what comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/many-creatives-want-to-be-just-the-creator-or-only-the-idea-guy-they/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [Pretty much everyone's career starts the same way: with grunt work. Not just the cliched fetching of coffee, but other lowly tasks: taking notes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/pretty-much-everyone-s-career-starts-the-same-way-with-grunt-work-not/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [The greats - they protect their sleep because it's where the best work comes from. They say no to things. They turn in when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-greats-they-protect-their-sleep-because-it-s-where-the-best-work/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“Where little danger is apprehended, the more the enemy will be unprepared and consequently there is the fairest prospect of success.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/where-little-danger-is-apprehended-the-more-the-enemy-will-be/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“From Rusticus … I learned to read carefully and not be satisfied with a rough understanding of the whole, and not to agree too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/from-rusticus-i-learned-to-read-carefully-and-not-be-satisfied-with-a/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [I wholeheartedly agree that many media 'standards' can feel disingenuous or, in fact, be a cover for less-than-honest behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/i-wholeheartedly-agree-that-many-media-standards-can-feel/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“Remember: even what we get for free has a cost, if only in what we pay to store it—in our garages and in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/remember-even-what-we-get-for-free-has-a-cost-if-only-in-what-we-pay/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [It's your job to find a release and an outlet for the stress and the feelings. Never forget: the crazy stays at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/it-s-your-job-to-find-a-release-and-an-outlet-for-the-stress-and-the/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [Where the head goes, the body follows. Perception precedes action. Right action follows the right perspective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/where-the-head-goes-the-body-follows-perception-precedes-action-right/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [The risks of speaking extemporaneously are apparent the first time you wing it and promptly put your foot in your mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-risks-of-speaking-extemporaneously-are-apparent-the-first-time/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“The tools of the Internet and social media have made it possible to track, test, iterate, and improve marketing to the point where these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/the-tools-of-the-internet-and-social-media-have-made-it-possible-to/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) > [“don’t just want fuel. You need it. You can’t go”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-holiday/don-t-just-want-fuel-you-need-it-you-can-t-go/) [Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) [Explore all 504 Ryan Holiday quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We often learn the hard way that our world is ruled by external factors. 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