I have always worked hard. The only thing missing was a smile

The words of Vidyasagar, “I have always worked hard. The only thing missing was a smile from Lady Luck,” resound with the age-old tension between human effort and divine fortune. They speak to the truth that though one may labor with diligence, wisdom, and perseverance, there remains always an element beyond our command—a capricious turn of fate, a hidden hand, what the ancients called Fortuna or the smile of Lady Luck. In this acknowledgment, we are reminded of both the nobility of hard work and the humility of knowing that destiny does not always yield to labor alone.

The ancients revered this duality. The Romans built temples to Fortuna, goddess of chance, recognizing that even the mightiest general could be undone by a sudden storm or a missed omen. Yet they also praised the virtue of industry and discipline, for without effort, fortune has nothing upon which to act. Vidyasagar’s confession belongs to this tradition: he does not lament his labor, for he values the honor of his striving. Instead, he laments the absence of fortune’s gentle smile, that subtle blessing which transforms toil into triumph.

Consider the life of Christopher Columbus. For years he labored to secure patrons for his voyages, facing rejection after rejection. His hard work was undeniable: countless maps studied, countless plans refined, countless petitions made. Yet it was not until Queen Isabella, moved by circumstance and perhaps the mysterious hand of chance, gave her support, that Columbus’s efforts bore fruit. His story illustrates Vidyasagar’s words perfectly: even the most relentless work waits upon the turning of fortune’s wheel, upon the smile of Lady Luck.

Yet this truth is not meant to dishearten, but to teach humility. If all things were achieved by effort alone, pride would devour us, and we would forget that life is a web of mysteries beyond our grasp. The smile of Lady Luck reminds us that we are participants in a greater story, not its masters. When fortune blesses us, we must give thanks; when she withholds, we must endure with patience, knowing that perseverance itself is a crown of honor. For though luck may wander, the dignity of work remains steadfast.

Vidyasagar’s words also remind us of the quiet pain carried by many: those who labor endlessly, yet see others—less diligent, less deserving—rise swiftly through the favor of chance. This is not new. History is filled with forgotten inventors, nameless soldiers, and unseen laborers who poured out their lives, yet were denied the world’s recognition. Their worth, however, is not diminished, for the measure of a soul is not only in what fortune grants, but in the courage to keep working even without her smile.

The lesson is clear: do not despise hard work, even when fortune seems to turn her face away. Work is within your command; luck is not. You must embrace labor as your offering to life, while welcoming fortune as a guest who may or may not arrive. When she does come, accept her gifts with gratitude; when she does not, let your heart remain unbroken. For in the end, the strength you forge through labor will outlast the fleeting smiles of Lady Luck.

To practice this wisdom, commit yourself to effort each day, without chaining your soul to outcomes. Seek excellence not only for reward, but for the honor of striving. And when chance denies you, remind yourself that your labor is never wasted—for it strengthens character, inspires others, and builds foundations upon which fortune may yet descend. In this way, you will walk with dignity, neither enslaved to luck nor embittered by her absence.

So remember, O seekers of tomorrow: hard work is the seed, Lady Luck’s smile is the rain. One you control, the other you do not. Plant faithfully, and when the heavens open, your harvest will be great. But even if the skies remain dry, your labor will not be in vain, for the very act of striving ennobles the soul and leaves behind a legacy more enduring than fortune’s fleeting favor.