"Circumstances rule men; men do not rule circumstances"

This quote by Herodotus talks to the idea that our lives are mainly identified by the situations we find ourselves in. We might have ambitions and dreams, however our ability to achieve them is mainly dependent on the environment we remain in. We might have the very best intents and the most worthy of goals, but if the circumstances are not in our favor, we may not be able to achieve them. This quote is a pointer that we need to not be too hard on ourselves if we are not able to reach our objectives, as it may be due to circumstances beyond our control. It is likewise a reminder that we ought to be mindful of the circumstances we find ourselves in, and aim to develop an environment that is conducive to our success. Ultimately, this quote functions as a reminder that we ought to not take our situations for granted, which we ought to strive to take advantage of the chances we have.