Destiny is not a matter of chance but a matter of choice?

Answer 1

This is a quote from 19th-century orator, William Jennings Bryan, a Nebraska native. He also stated, "No one can earn a million dollars honestly," a quote that is rarely included side-by-side with the "destiny" quote.

One view:

The destiny quote is popular among corporate CEO's and other leaders today, as any web search will show. Unfortunately, the quote requires us to blame victims of crime, sufferers of genetic diseases, and those otherwise cut off by earthly circumstances beyond their control, for their predicament. As any philosopher trained in the practice of hypothetico-deductive reasoning -- such as any American scientist -- can explain, when one exception to a thesis is found, the thesis (or hypothesis, or law) must be rejected as a whole. Logically, Bryan's "destiny" quote must be rejected as a law of life. Perhaps you can think of two, or three, or a million specific instances in life where a person did not have complete control of all key circumstances affecting their lifepath... Also, Bible scholars may want to consider whether or not Bryan's "destiny" quote aligns with the teachings of scripture.

Another view:

Destiny should not be confused with circumstance, coincidence, or even destination. The use of "destiny" in this context does not refer to "a predetermined, unavoidable conclusion;" that would be an utter contradiction. The unavoidable, after all, can only be waited for; the inevitable offers its victim no choice. Instead, the speaker addresses an idea something like self-actualization - the fulfilling of one's design or purpose. One cannot reach his full life potential by sitting and waiting for it; this sort of destiny (or prize or joy or quality of life, if you prefer) can only be reached through decision and determined action. Dreams by their very nature lie just out of our reach; most people will stand beneath and gaze up in wonder, but the wise ones will build a staircase.