"Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered"

Shakespeare’s observation captures the interplay between fate and human agency. Through the metaphor of boats carried by fortune, he suggests that success or arrival at a destination is not always the result of deliberate guidance or personal effort. Some boats reach shore not because of the steady hand at the helm, but because the tides and winds, forces beyond any sailor’s control, have brought them safely in. In life, as in navigation, much is often left to chance, circumstance, or luck. The most carefully laid plans may founder, while opportunity or prosperity may fall upon those who have neither sought nor prepared for it.

This idea prompts reflection on the limits of individual control. Hard work, wisdom, and intention certainly matter, and yet there will always be those who, by mere happenstance, receive benefits or opportunities with little to no effort or planning. Conversely, others may labor diligently but fail to find the success they seek. Shakespeare’s imagery serves as a gentle rebuke to those who would judge solely by outcomes, reminding us that not every triumph is earned, nor every failure deserved. The currents of life are unpredictable and impartial, distributing fortune as they will.

At a deeper level, the phrase alludes to humility. If our “boats” have been brought in by favorable conditions, gratitude is an appropriate response, as hubris in personal achievement overlooks the invisible hand of circumstance. It encourages empathy towards those whose “boats” continue to drift, for their lack of arrival may be less a matter of incompetence than of unlucky winds. At the same time, it does not wholly relieve us of responsibility. While many factors lie beyond our influence, some boats are steered, requiring courage, determination, and skill. Ultimately, Shakespeare’s words urge a balanced view: honoring effort, remaining open to luck, and extending compassion, understanding that fortune favors, but also fares unpredictably.