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Destiny is a good thing to accept when it's going your way. When it isn't, don't call it destiny; call it injustice, treachery or simple bad luck.

— Joseph Heller God Knows (1984)

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Fate

More quotes by Joseph Heller

When I read something saying I've not done anything as good as Catch-22 I'm tempted to reply, "Who has?"

The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Quotations (1997)

Some men are born mediocre, some men achieve mediocrity, and some men have mediocrity thrust upon them. With Major Major it had been all three.

Catch-22 (1961)

He could never decide whether to furgle them or photograph them, for he had found it impossible to do both simultaneously.

Catch-22 (1961)

Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

Catch-22 (1961)

Outside the hospital the war was still going on. Men went mad and were rewarded with medals.

Catch-22 (1961)

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One country, one constitution, one destiny.

Daniel Webster

We may not have chosen the time, but the time has chosen us.

John Lewis

Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.

William Jennings Bryan

“Destiny,” said John. “The ghastliest word a man can speak.”

Poul Anderson The Corridors of Time (1965)

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Joseph Heller (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.