Wednesday 4 August 2021

Fortune

Harvest The Fire, CHAPTER 2.

Nicol thinks of his Lunarian partner, Falaire:

"Let him bless fortune that for some reason she liked him." (p. 47)

Language preserves earlier world views. Thus, the English word, "fortune," is almost identical with the Latin, "Fortuna," the name of a goddess whom we have discussed before. Of course it is natural to thank God or to bless fortune when things go well. However, understandably, the goddess Fortuna was not to be addressed, entreated or thanked because luck cannot be influenced although she/it favors the brave, those who capitalize on their luck or who go out to find it.

Nicol, a poet, might approve the construction of a Temple of Fortuna on the Moon and would understand that no prayers or sacrifices are to be offered there.

3 comments:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

Those who take chances or accept risks are more likely to SOMETIMES succeed than those who never even try!

Ad astra! Sean

S.M. Stirling said...

Excessive caution is actually more risky that considered boldness.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Mr. Stirling!

I agree! And, after many years of conservative, cautious investing, I did something bold (for me) last year and spent 5,000 dollars buying stock in Tesla!

Ad astra! Sean