"Le destin guide celui qui le suit et entraîne celui qui lui résiste."

Let's break this down. The heart of the idea here is that life tends to go more smoothly when you go with the flow and adapt to circumstances, rather than fighting against them. When you accept what comes your way and work with it, things generally turn out better. But if you resist and struggle against the inevitable, life can end up dragging you along, making things much harder.

There's definitely some historical context behind this quote. It comes from an ancient Roman philosopher named Seneca, who was a big thinker in Stoicism. Stoics believed in accepting the present moment and not getting upset by things outside our control. This quote sums up that mindset pretty well — you can either work with life's plan or get pulled along kicking and screaming.

Imagine you’re working on a big project at work. You've got everything planned out perfectly, but suddenly, halfway through, the client changes all the requirements. If you roll with it and adapt your plan, sure, it might be a bit of extra work, but you'll probably deliver something great and maybe even learn something new in the process. On the other hand, if you dig in your heels, complain, and resist the changes, you'll likely end up stressed, behind schedule, and might even miss out on a chance to improve the project.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by recognizing what you can control and what you can't. Focus your energy on the things you can change, and try to accept the rest. It's about making peace with the unexpected and understanding that sometimes the best path forward is the one you didn't plan. Try to stay flexible and open-minded. It’s like a mental judo — using the force of life to your advantage.

Let’s put this into a more relatable scenario. Think about Jane, who’s just started college. She’s got her heart set on becoming a lawyer. But after a couple of semesters, she realizes she hates her law classes. They're just not what she imagined. Now, she’s at a crossroads. If she stubbornly sticks to her original plan, she’s likely to spend the next few years miserable and maybe end up in a career she hates. But if she acknowledges the truth of her situation and allows herself to explore new subjects, she might discover a passion for something totally unexpected — like psychology. By following where life is leading her, she ends up happier and more fulfilled.

In short, life’s a lot easier if you go with the flow. Accept the changes, adapt to new paths, and don't resist just because things aren't going exactly as you planned. It’s like surfing — you can't control the waves, but you can ride them. And who knows? You might end up somewhere even better than you imagined.