DESTINY, n. [1.] A tyrant’s authority for crime and a fool’s excuse for failure. [2.] A force alleged to control affairs, principally quoted by erring human beings to excuse their failures.
“‘Tis destiny,” Sam Barrell cried;
“Once I had gold of Ophir;
Now humbled is my former pride,
And I’ve become a loafer.”
“Not strange,” said Turnbull, passing by,
“That you with fate should fare ill.
The destiny that rules you, I
Have always found in barrel.”