<= Previous | May Issues Index | Next =>
Your Quotes for 5 May 2006 - Odds

A struggle against overwhelming odds took place at Puebla, Mexico on this day in 1862. A ragtag militia of 4,700 poorly equipped and inadequately trained Mexicans met a crack French force of 7,200 - and won. They lost the war, but they prevailed that day. I understand that Cinco de Mayo isn't an important holiday in Mexico, but I saw that all the Mexican beers were on sale at the grocer's today. And if you think about driving home after a few tequilas celebrating that famous battle, don't: I can't face the odds of losing a reader. Here are some quotes on facing long odds.

I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race [is] not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
     - Ecclesiastes 9:11

Necessity is the mother of taking chances.
     - Mark Twain, 1835 - 1910

Never let the odds keep you from pursuing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.
     - Leroy "Satchel" Paige, 1906 - 1982

The task is overwhelming, and the chance is slight. We must take the chance or die.
     - Robert Maynard Hutchins, 1899 - 1977

To every man upon this earth
Death cometh soon or late;
And how can man die better
Than facing fearful odds
For the ashes of his fathers
And the temples of his gods?
     - Thomas Babington, Lord Macaulay, 1800 - 1859

Would you like to see quotes like these in your mail tomorrow morning? Our 12,000 loyal subscribers hate to miss a day, perhaps you should sign up now! No cost or obligation, just be open to the enlightenment waiting for you among our 22,500+ quotes.