• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Have you heard the phrase, or something similar to:

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 4644
  • Start date Start date
D

Deleted member 4644

"Life is 51% luck, 49% hard work?"

My grampa says it a lot, while pointing out that 51% is an F, thus the 49% is still important.
 
You could also say that even if you work hard in yoru life you could still fail if you have bad luck
 
If you're a MLB player, and get on base 51% of the time, youre a millionaire. If you make 51% of your three pointers you're a millionaire. Then again if you let in 51% of shots against you, you suck.
 
Originally posted by: Lonyo
Originally posted by: Mo0o
You could also say that even if you work hard in yoru life you could still fail if you have bad luck
Click to expand...

If you believe in luck.
Click to expand...

I'm just arguing within the confines of the phrase. But I do believe in fortuitous opportunities that arise not out of our own actions.
 
"Life is mostly chance" or "mostly luck" is a common saying, I'd say using percentages is more newfangled and scientifical.

It's somewhat true for a lot of people, in that most of us don't fully plan out 100% of our life including where to work.

It's somewhat false in that chance might help determine where you are, for example what job offer you get. But once you are there it's mostly your own work (with very little left to chance) that determines how well you do.
 
Ok, next question, does anyone strongly disagree with that phrase or find it offensive?
 
Originally posted by: Mo0o
Originally posted by: Lonyo
Originally posted by: Mo0o
You could also say that even if you work hard in yoru life you could still fail if you have bad luck
Click to expand...

If you believe in luck.
Click to expand...

I'm just arguing within the confines of the phrase. But I do believe in fortuitous opportunities that arise not out of our own actions.
Click to expand...

I believe that isn't luck.
 
Originally posted by: LordSegan
Ok, next question, does anyone strongly disagree with that phrase or find it offensive?
Click to expand...

no... why would it be offensive. you might argue over the percentages but its kind of hard to argue against the phrase as a whole
 
Originally posted by: LordSegan
Ok, next question, does anyone strongly disagree with that phrase or find it offensive?
Click to expand...

I think your grandpa regrets a lot in his life, and isn't satisfied with his run so far. That would explain why he thinks hard work is less useful than getting lucky.
 
Originally posted by: Malak
Originally posted by: LordSegan
Ok, next question, does anyone strongly disagree with that phrase or find it offensive?
Click to expand...

I think your grandpa regrets a lot in his life, and isn't satisfied with his run so far. That would explain why he thinks hard work is less useful than getting lucky.
Click to expand...

lol.. if you knew my grampa, you wouldnt say it. He is basically the paradigm of the American Dream. He went from picking beans on a farm at age 6 to high six figure salary.
 
Originally posted by: LordSegan
Originally posted by: Malak
Originally posted by: LordSegan
Ok, next question, does anyone strongly disagree with that phrase or find it offensive?
Click to expand...

I think your grandpa regrets a lot in his life, and isn't satisfied with his run so far. That would explain why he thinks hard work is less useful than getting lucky.
Click to expand...

lol.. if you knew my grampa, you wouldnt say it. He is basically the paradigm of the American Dream. He went from picking beans on a farm at age 6 to high six figure salary.
Click to expand...

Then he is still missing something.
 
Originally posted by: Malak
Originally posted by: LordSegan
Originally posted by: Malak
Originally posted by: LordSegan
Ok, next question, does anyone strongly disagree with that phrase or find it offensive?
Click to expand...

I think your grandpa regrets a lot in his life, and isn't satisfied with his run so far. That would explain why he thinks hard work is less useful than getting lucky.
Click to expand...

lol.. if you knew my grampa, you wouldnt say it. He is basically the paradigm of the American Dream. He went from picking beans on a farm at age 6 to high six figure salary.
Click to expand...

Then he is still missing something.
Click to expand...

Maybe, but let me give you a specific reference to why he says that: back in the 1940s he had a really really lucky break that landed him the job he still holds today. Thus, even though he had worked hard his entire life, he considered that a "51%" lucky break. He has been saying that phrase ever since (the 1940s)

So I doubt it has much to do with is life and happiness now.
 
Never heard any "saying" like that, but I certainly do NOT believe in "luck" to the extent some ATOT members do. Do you consider it "bad luck" to:
  • Be a single mother of several kids by several fathers?
  • Stay married to somebody who abuses you?
  • Be without a job year after year?
  • Not be able to quit smoking?
  • Be caught in a flood with no insurance?
  • Not have enough money to retire?
Do you think you're "entitled" to have the government bale you out of these predicaments?
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
Never heard any "saying" like that, but I certainly do NOT believe in "luck" to the extent some ATOT members do. Do you consider it "bad luck" to:
  • Be a single mother of several kids by several fathers?
  • Stay married to somebody who abuses you?
  • Be without a job year after year?
  • Not be able to quit smoking?
  • Be caught in a flood with no insurance?
  • Not have enough money to retire?
Do you think you're "entitled" to have the government bale you out of these predicaments?
Click to expand...

Way to turn a non-political thread into an impending flamefest.

To answer your question, it is not bad luck to be all or any of those things, but bad luck to not have ever been in a situtation where you could or would learn not to do all of the above. Which doesnt justify it, but is quite a bit more realistic.
 
...bad luck to not have ever been in a situtation where you could or would learn not to do all of the above.

Is this not why public school is mandated for all students between 7 and 16 years of age?
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
...bad luck to not have ever been in a situtation where you could or would learn not to do all of the above.

Is this not why public school is mandated for all students between 7 and 16 years of age?
Click to expand...

I dont quite remember that part of public school where they taught us to buy insurance in case of flood, to save money for retirement, or not to be a single mother of several kids by several fathers.

Regardless of what you like to believe, you are not an island.
 
Originally posted by: BD2003

I dont quite remember that part of public school where they taught us to buy insurance in case of flood, to save money for retirement, or not to be a single mother of several kids by several fathers.

Regardless of what you like to believe, you are not an island.
Click to expand...
So, your answer to the question, "Do you consider it "bad luck" to:
  • Be a single mother of several kids by several fathers? Yes?
  • Stay married to somebody who abuses you? Yes?
  • Be without a job year after year? Yes?
  • Not be able to quit smoking? Yes?
  • Be caught in a flood with no insurance? Yes?
  • Not have enough money to retire? Yes?
Therefore the government is obliged to step up and bale you out, Yes?

If that's the case, your idea of "luck" and mine are NOT the same! I was lead to believe that public school was to teach future citizens how to think and be self sufficient. I guess the "unlucky" ones just kind of blow it off, though. :roll:
 
Some people are lucky, some are not, regardless of their work ethic.

While not a substitute for hard work, luck sometimes plays a larger role than all those hours spent "doing the right thing".

Luck cannot be confused with the opportunities created by hard work.


For me, the frustrating part of "luck" is when people who are lucky do not realize it and either play it off like they earned it or act superior in some way.
 
Originally posted by: Malak
Originally posted by: LordSegan
Ok, next question, does anyone strongly disagree with that phrase or find it offensive?
Click to expand...

I think your grandpa regrets a lot in his life, and isn't satisfied with his run so far. That would explain why he thinks hard work is less useful than getting lucky.
Click to expand...

Hard work is important, but there are far more people who work hard and aren't successful than there are who work hard and are successful.
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
Originally posted by: BD2003

I dont quite remember that part of public school where they taught us to buy insurance in case of flood, to save money for retirement, or not to be a single mother of several kids by several fathers.

Regardless of what you like to believe, you are not an island.
Click to expand...
So, your answer to the question, "Do you consider it "bad luck" to:
  • Be a single mother of several kids by several fathers? Yes?
  • Stay married to somebody who abuses you? Yes?
  • Be without a job year after year? Yes?
  • Not be able to quit smoking? Yes?
  • Be caught in a flood with no insurance? Yes?
  • Not have enough money to retire? Yes?
Therefore the government is obliged to step up and bale you out, Yes?

If that's the case, your idea of "luck" and mine are NOT the same! I was lead to believe that public school was to teach future citizens how to think and be self sufficient. I guess the "unlucky" ones just kind of blow it off, though. :roll:
Click to expand...

Youre missing the point.

Luck doesnt start after school ends. Luck starts the instant youre conceived.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top