Chance Quote by Shohei Ooka
““People seem unable to admit this principle of chance. Our spirits are not strong enough to stand the idea of life being a mere succession of chances—the idea, that is, of infinity. Each of us in his individual existence, which is contained between the chance of his birth and the chance of his death, identifies those few incidents that have arisen through what he styles his “will”; and the thing that emerges consistently from this he calls his “character” or again his “life.” Thus we contrive to comfort ourselves; there is, in fact, no other way for us to think.””
About This Quote
Humans cling to the illusion of control, inventing character and will to mask life's inherent randomness and finitude.
In simple terms: We create meaning to cope with chance.
Key Takeaway
Illusion of control over randomness.
Themes
philosophy
existentialism
psychology
Mood
thoughtful
melancholic
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- grieving loss
- career planning
- spiritual contemplation
Key Concepts
determinism vs. randomness
meaning‑making
Practical Applications
- Accept uncertainty to reduce anxiety
Questions to Reflect On
- How does belief in free will affect resilience?
- Can acknowledging randomness improve decision‑making?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the value of agency in shaping outcomes.
