Success, the mark no mortal wit,
Or surest hand, can always hit:
For whatsoe'er we perpetrate,
read more

Success, the mark no mortal wit,
Or surest hand, can always hit:
For whatsoe'er we perpetrate,
We do but row, we're steer'd by Fate,
Which in success oft disinherits,
For spurious causes, noblest merits.

Destiny has two ways of crushing us -- by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them.

Destiny has two ways of crushing us -- by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them.

The bow is bent, the arrow flies,
The winged shaft of fate.

The bow is bent, the arrow flies,
The winged shaft of fate.

Tempted fate will leave the loftiest star.

Tempted fate will leave the loftiest star.

They are raised on high that they may be dashed to pieces with a
greater fall.
[Lat., Tolluntur read more

They are raised on high that they may be dashed to pieces with a
greater fall.
[Lat., Tolluntur in altum
Ut lapsu gaviore ruant.]

Fate steals along with silent tread,
Found oftenest in what least we dread;
Frowns in the storm read more

Fate steals along with silent tread,
Found oftenest in what least we dread;
Frowns in the storm with angry brow,
But in the sunshine strikes the blow.

No power or virtue of man could ever have deserved that what has
been fated should not have taken read more

No power or virtue of man could ever have deserved that what has
been fated should not have taken place.
[Lat., Nulla vis humana vel virtus meruisse unquam potuit, ut,
quod praescripsit fatalis ordo, non fiat.]

Here's a sigh to those who love me,
And a smile to those who hate;
And whatever read more

Here's a sigh to those who love me,
And a smile to those who hate;
And whatever sky's above me,
Here's a heart for every fate.

Kabira wept when he beheld the millstone roll,
Of that which passes 'twixt the stones, nought goes forth whole.
read more

Kabira wept when he beheld the millstone roll,
Of that which passes 'twixt the stones, nought goes forth whole.
- Edward B. Eastwick,