Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-01-29
GOOD ANS CAD LUCK.
Theh Inhusnce May Be Determined by
the Law of Probabilities.

the Law of Probabilities.
A great deal of sophistry has been
wasted i'll vain attempts to prove that
there is no such thing as luck, good or
bad; that nothing happens by chance,
all results coming from some definite
cause. Even though the latter state
ment could be proved or should be ad-
mitted, 1T would not preclude the exist.
ence of luck to the individual
That which occurs, favorable or unfa-
vorable 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 every one, but it is of much less
Importance than the idle or Indifferent
suppose. The individual may or may
not take advantage of the fortuitous cir
cumstances or luck which he meets.
That depends on himself, his abilities,
his industry, his boldness, his character,
a thousand qualities Of mind or per-
son. Moreover, as one cannot control
luck, the important thing in life is to
prepare oneself to meet it and turn it
to some account. Those who lay too
much stress upon luck seldom deserve
good fortune. They are indolent, with
out enterprise or zeal, and spend their
time in complaining of their own hard
luck or in envious consideration of the
good luck of others.
Lowell in one of his essays says that
"luck may and often does have some
share in ephemeral successes, as in a
gamblers winnings, spent as soon as
got, but not in any lasting triumph
over time" 1t is of course conceivable
that an ephemeral success, arising from
luck, may lay the foundation for last
ing success due to hard labor and de-
serving, but the rule is that unearned
advantages cannot be held; the winner
is not fitted by training and habits to
hold fast to that which he has gained
Golden pictures the subject truly, so far
as young men are concerned, when he
says that "luck is. ever waiting for
something to 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 living or
for advancement than upon the turn of
a card. He who would command good
fortune must depend upon his own in
dustry and character. He may meet
with hard fortune, it is true, but indus
try, zeal, honesty, will surely lift him
out of it in the long run, and if not his
fortune cannot be altogether bad when
he retains to the end his honor and in
dependence. The young may properly
recognize that there is such thing as
luck, but they should place no depend
ence ON it, but think only of fitting
themselves to make good use of it if it
should come their way. The chances
which may come to every one and which
are wholly beyond control are innumer-
able, but he who speculates upon them
will lose as surely as the gambler, or,
when he wins, show gamblers reck-
lessness in getting rid of his winnings.
There is German proverb that '1uck
seeks those who flee and fees those who
seek it," The wise man will therefore
not seek it, but moving through the
world as though no such thing existed
will depend upon his own intelligence,
his own industry, his own good pur-
poses to command fortune. Thus, self
reliant, he will be ready on the instant
to take advantage of any fortuitous cir
cumstances to further his designs or be
equally ready TO avoid or overcome the
"hard luck" that would overwhelm one
who was not thus fortified. Baltimore
Sun.