"Les hommes superficiels croient en la chance ou en les circonstances"

The essence of this quote is that people who lack depth tend to attribute their successes or failures to chance or external factors beyond their control. They think that their fortunes are determined by random luck rather than their own actions, decisions, and efforts.

Historically, this idea has been around for ages. The quote itself comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson, a 19th-century American philosopher and essayist who was part of the transcendentalist movement. He believed deeply in the power of the individual and personal responsibility. Back in his day, the Industrial Revolution was transforming society, leading many to feel like mere cogs in a machine. Emerson’s words were a call to remember that personal agency and effort matter.

Imagine you're in a workplace setting. You've got two colleagues, Alice and Bob. Alice always attributes her achievements to being 'just lucky.' She landed that big client? She says it was a fluke. Got a promotion? She insists it was just because her boss was in a good mood. On the other hand, Bob is constantly working hard. He reads up on industry trends, attends professional development workshops, and puts in extra hours on projects. When Bob gets promoted, it’s clear to everyone around him that he earned it through dedication and effort.

This perspective can be practically applied in numerous ways. The next time you face a challenge or meet with success, take a moment to reflect on the role your actions played in the outcome. Did you study hard for that exam, or did you rely on a stroke of luck? Did you prepare thoroughly for your job interview, or did you just hope for the best? By consistently recognizing and acting upon your influence over situations, you build a habit of accountability and continuous improvement.

Here’s a piece of advice: whenever you catch yourself thinking "I’m just not lucky," stop and ask, "What could I have done differently?" Think back to a time when you faced an obstacle. Did you give up or make an excuse? Now, think about what could have happened if you had tried a different approach or put in a bit more effort. This kind of mindful reflection helps you see the patterns in your life and how you can influence them.

Picture this: you're a student aiming for a scholarship. Instead of banking on a miracle, you decide to take charge. You research the criteria, understand the expectations, and put in the work. Late nights, revisions, seeking feedback. When you finally earn that scholarship, it's not luck—it’s your hard work paying off.

The takeaway? We have more control over our destiny than we often give ourselves credit for. It's easy to dismiss successes as luck or blame failures on circumstances. But by recognizing our role in shaping outcomes, we empower ourselves to achieve more and rely less on the whims of fate. The next time you’re faced with a challenge, don’t just hope for the best—make it happen.