Meaning of Luck only favors the prepared mind
What does it mean? Luck only favors the prepared mind:
"Luck only favors the prepared mind" is an original phrase by the French scientist Louis Pasteur, later quoted and popularized by the American writer Isaac Asimov, to signify that only he who proceeds with method, discipline and rigor can aspire to have success.
Pasteur made this statement during a conference on the occasion of the inauguration of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lille, in France, of which he would be its first dean, on the day December 7, 1854.
In this speech, Pasteur explained to the audience the experiment that led the Swedish physicist Hans Christian Ørsted to discover electromagnetism. Ørsted had placed, attached end-to-end to each of the poles of a volta battery, a copper wire. It was then that, on the table where he was carrying out the experiment, a magnetized needle turned in a strange way, ignoring the earth's magnetism.
Ørsted observed this fact carefully and attributed the phenomenon to the force exerted on the needle by the electromagnetic field of the copper wire. From which Pasteur concluded: "they will think it was by chance, but they must remember that, in the field of observation, luck only favors the prepared mind."
In this way, we can interpret that Pasteur alludes not only to the importance of scientific and academic preparation, but also to the rigorous application of the method in the field of science. scientific observation when carrying out an experiment, because if we are attentive to all the aspects involved we will be able to know how to interpret a phenomenon in its proper measure to explain it.
In this sense, Pasteur privileges the objective preparation of the scientist, that is, the set of techniques, norms and methods that must be applied in observation, over chance and fortune., from which nothing can be extracted who is not properly prepared. Luck - it is inferred - will not even reveal itself to those who do not have the due disposition for observation.
Likewise, this phrase has also been used in the field of motivational psychology and entrepreneurship to indicate that Achievements do not depend exclusively on luck or chance, nor should they be excuses for failure, but we must prepare adequately to achieve our goals and make it depend mainly on us, on our effort.
Hence, it also refers to our ability to mentalize ourselves in the achievement of our objectives and to provide us with the tools that we need to do this, because it is also important to develop the sense of smell to know the moments that we must take advantage of and the opportunities that we cannot waste.
Thus, on the other hand, it also alludes to the importance of having a sense of opportunity to know how to detect a propitious moment to fulfill our purposes. The phrase, then, motivates us above all to prepare ourselves, to acquire all the tools and capacities that we must have to achieve success, because luck will only favor those who meet these features.
About the Author
Louis Pasteur (1922-1895) was a French scientist, creator of vaccines and discoverer of the pasteurization technique. With his findings, he revolutionized the way we understand medicine. His discoveries have saved millions of lives throughout history.
Literature professional, graduated from the Universidad de Los Andes. Passionate about literature, history and philosophy. He has worked creating, writing and proofreading in publishing, advertising, journalism and digital content since 2008.
