BGonline.org Forums

Luck is the residue of design - source?

Posted By: Daniel Murphy
Date: Wednesday, 11 January 2012, at 1:24 a.m.

From Wikipedia:

Branch Rickey is attributed with the famous quotation: "Luck is the residue of opportunity and design." (Quoted by Larry King 7/12/2006.), although 17th century writer John Milton initially coined the phrase.

But there's no attribution footnote -- not even to Larry King. Branch Rickey died in 1965. Also, although the quote, in this form or the shorter "luck is the residue of design," is credited to both Rickey and Milton on numerous websites, none that I found included a reference.

Who knows their Milton? Or their Rickey?

Messages In This Thread

• Luck is the residue of design - source?
  Daniel Murphy -- Wednesday, 11 January 2012, at 1:24 a.m.
  • Luck is the residue of design - source?
    Timothy Chow -- Wednesday, 11 January 2012, at 4:25 a.m.
    • Luck is the residue of design - source?
      Daniel Murphy -- Thursday, 12 January 2012, at 8:11 a.m.