Fortune turns like a wheel. One man it lifts, another it sets down!
In plain words
Luck spins around. It lifts one person and sets another down.
Where these words come from
- 88% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
- Ilyás, in Twenty-Three Tales (1885), Maude translation. Verbatim-confirmed via Wikisource.
- Ilyás
- 1885
More from Leo Tolstoy
See allThe strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.
Leo TolstoyThere is only one enduring happiness in life — to live for others.Leo TolstoyIn countries in which there is a state religion, the children are taught the senseless blasphemies of ecclesiastical catechisms, in which the necessity of obeying the powers is pointed out; in republican governments they are taught the savage superstition of patriotism, and the same imaginary obligation of obeying the authorities.Leo TolstoyAt a more advanced age, this hypnotization is continued by encouraging the religious and the patriotic superstitions.Leo TolstoyWhy do free, wealthy men consider it an honour to perform lackeys' duties to crowned heads, why do they humble themselves, and flatter them, and pretend that they believe in the special grandeur of these persons?Leo TolstoyThink of your duties,--not of your imaginary duties as a landowner to your estate, of a merchant to your capital, of an emperor, minister, official to the state,--but of those real duties of yours, which result from your real condition of existence, which is called into life and is endowed with reason and love.Leo Tolstoy
Leo TolstoyThere is only one enduring happiness in life — to live for others.Leo TolstoyIn countries in which there is a state religion, the children are taught the senseless blasphemies of ecclesiastical catechisms, in which the necessity of obeying the powers is pointed out; in republican governments they are taught the savage superstition of patriotism, and the same imaginary obligation of obeying the authorities.Leo TolstoyAt a more advanced age, this hypnotization is continued by encouraging the religious and the patriotic superstitions.Leo TolstoyWhy do free, wealthy men consider it an honour to perform lackeys' duties to crowned heads, why do they humble themselves, and flatter them, and pretend that they believe in the special grandeur of these persons?Leo TolstoyThink of your duties,--not of your imaginary duties as a landowner to your estate, of a merchant to your capital, of an emperor, minister, official to the state,--but of those real duties of yours, which result from your real condition of existence, which is called into life and is endowed with reason and love.Leo TolstoyMore on wisdom
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
Sun TzuThe wound is the place where the light enters you.
RumiYou have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.
Marcus AureliusWaste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.Marcus AureliusAn unexamined life is not worth living.
SocratesWonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.
Plato
Sun TzuThe wound is the place where the light enters you.RumiYou have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.Marcus AureliusWaste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.Marcus AureliusAn unexamined life is not worth living.SocratesWonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.Plato