“People always call it luck when you’ve acted more sensibly than they have.”

Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "People always call it luck when you’ve acted more sensibly than they have." by Anne Tyler?

Anne Tyler22

American novelist 1941

Related quotes

“I've found that what most people call luck is often little more than raw talent combined with the ability to make the most of opportunities. (Talon Karrde)”

Timothy Zahn Heir to the Empire

Source: Heir to the Empire

“To have success in science, you need some luck.
But to succeed in science, you need a lot more than luck.”

James D. Watson (1928) American molecular biologist, geneticist, and zoologist.

Succeeding in Science: Some Rules of Thumb (1993)
Context: To have success in science, you need some luck.
But to succeed in science, you need a lot more than luck. And it's not enough to be smart — lots of people are very bright and get nowhere in life. In my view, you have to combine intelligence with a willingness not to follow conventions when they block your path forward.

“I am far more provoked at being thought foolish by foolish people, than pleased at being thought sensible by sensible people; and the average proportion of the numbers of each is not to my advantage.”

John Ruskin book Fors Clavigera

Fors Clavigera, letter xxxvii, (1 January 1874).
Fors Clavigera (1871-1878 and 1880-1884)

“At this juncture we might conceivably act in a sensible, rather than a popular, manner”

E. B. White (1899–1985) American writer

The Wild Flag (1943)
Context: The delegate from Patagonia spoke up. 'I fear that the wild flag, one for all, will prove an unpopular idea.'
'It will, undoubtedly,' sighed the Chinese delegate. 'But now that there are only a couple of hundred people on earth, even the word "unpopular" loses most of its meaning. At this juncture we might conceivably act in a sensible, rather than a popular, manner.' And he produced eighty-two more shoeboxes and handed a wild flag to each delegate, bowing ceremoniously.
Next day the convention broke up and the delegates returned to their homes, marveling at what they had accomplished in so short a time. And that is the end of our dream.