The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-28
GOOD n BAD LUCK.
they May BE Determined by the Law
of Probabilities.
Baltimore Sun.

Baltimore Sun.
A great deal OF sophistry has been wasted
such thing as luck. good or bad; that moth
ing happens by chance, all results coming
from some definite cause. Even though the
Be admitted. it would not preclude the eX-
stence OF luck 10 the individual.
That which occurs, favorable or unfavor-
able to him. from any cause beyond his
control. is good luck and there is no doubt
that luck plays some part In the history of
than the idle or indifferent suppose. The in
dividual may or may not AXE advantage
of the fortuitous circumstances or luck
which he meets. That depends on himself.
his abilities his industry, his boldness, his
character-a thousand qualities Of mind or
person Moreoyer. as one cannot control
pare ones self TO meet 1t and turn Ii to
some account. Those who lay too much
stress upon luck seldom deserve good for
tune. They are indolent, without enter
prise or zeal. and spend their time in COM
planning OF their own hard luck or in en-
vl9as consideration of the good luck OF
others.
Lowell in one OF his essays says that
Luck may and often does have some share
winnings spent as soon as got. but not in
any lasting triumph over time" 1t is, of
course, conceivable, that an ephemeral sue
cess. arising from luck. may lay the foun-
dation for lasting success due TO hard la
Dor and deserving, but the rule is that TN
earned advantages cannot be held; the win
~ - nOL hLNCa ny lii dlu Ia u ~
hold fast to that which he has gained. Cob
den pictures the subject truly. so Ear as
young men are concerned, when he says
that Luck Is ever waiting for something
10 turn up. Labor. with keen eyes and
strong will, will turn up something" The
last sentence Is one OF great significance TO
the young.
Much that is called luck is not really
such. but follows deserving. Real luck is a
mere matter of chance upon which we can
no more depend for a living or for advance
ment than upon the turn OF a card. He
who would command a good fortune must
depend upon his own Industry and charac-
ter. He may meet with hard fortune, IL is
true, but Industry, zeal, honesty, will surely
lift him out of IL in the long run, and. IL
not, his fortune cannot be altogether bad
when he retains TO the end his honor and
independence. The young may properly rec
ognize that there Is such a thing as luck.
but they should place no dependence on IL.
but think only OF fitting themselves TO make
good use of IL II IL should come their way.
The chances which may come 10 everyone.
and which are wholly beyond ones con-
troll. are innumerable. but he who specu-
lateS upon them Will lose as surely as the
gambler, or. when he wins, show a gam
bler's recklessness In getting rid OF his win
nings.
There Is a German proverb that luck
seeks those who flee and fees those who
seek IT," The wise man will, therefore, not
seek IL. but moving through the world as
though no such thing as luck existed, viii
depend upon his w intelligence, his own
industry, his w good purposes 10 COM
mand fortune Thus. self-relian1, he viii be
ready on the instant 10 lake advantage OF
any fortuitous circumstances 10 further his
Designs or be equally ready TO avoid OF
overcome the hard luck" that would over
wheim one who was not thus fortified.