Above all, he liked it that everything was one’s own fault. There was only oneself to praise or blame. Luck was a servant and not a master. Luck had to be accepted with a shrug or taken advantage of up to the hilt. But it had to be understood and recognized for what it was and not confused with a faulty appreciation of the odds, for, at gambling, the deadly sin is to mistake bad play for bad luck. And luck in all its moods had to be loved and not feared.
Fleming presents a view of gambling in which personal responsibility matters more than the outcome of any single event. Luck is real, but it should neither excuse poor decisions nor become the basis for self-congratulation. The important distinction is between what chance determines and what remains within a person’s control: judgement, preparation and the quality of a decision.
The warning against mistaking bad play for bad luck is particularly important. An unfavourable result does not necessarily mean that a decision was unsound, just as a favourable result does not prove that it was wise. Understanding the odds requires separating the quality of the process from the eventual outcome.
The final point is an acceptance of uncertainty. Luck cannot be controlled, but it can be recognised and used when circumstances permit. The quote therefore combines accountability with a measured acceptance of chance.
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Ian Fleming
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