"Our actions seem to have their lucky and unlucky stars, to which a great part of that blame and that commendation is due which is given to the actions themselves"
- Francois de La Rochefoucauld
About this Quote
This quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld suggests that our actions go through luck and possibility. He suggests that much of the appreciation and criticism we get for our actions is because of the luck or bad luck that accompanies them. This recommends that we are not always in control of the results of our actions, which sometimes our successes and failures are due to elements outside of our control. This quote likewise indicates that we should not take excessive credit or blame for our actions, as luck and possibility can play a significant role in the results. Eventually, this quote works as a suggestion that we need to not be too tough on ourselves when things do not go our method, which we should be simple in our successes.
"To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization"
"Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer"