Philosophical Question

[Blacksmith]

Philosophical Question:

If you could choose either one or the other would you rather be skilful or lucky?

[WallyM3]

Skillful. It brings its own luck.

[geargnasher]

I would choose to remain as I am.

Gear

[WallyM3]

I would choose to remain as I am.

Gear

Skillful, lucky and handsome?

[btroj]

Luck is often created.

Like Gear I'm happy the way I am.

[leftiye]

I am skillful. I don't think I'm lucky. It kinda sucks to think that things could come easier rather than being that constant uphill grind. Them lucky guys piff me off!

[MBTcustom]

If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all.

I would say knowledge, wisdom, and skill trumps all. I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of knowlegeable, wise and skillful manipulation of my environment. Sometimes things go right, and sometimes they go wrong, but skill, knowledge, and wisdom bring the mountains to your eye's, and the valleys to your feet.

[wch]

Skill wins hands down over luck.

[captaint]

Heck, I can depend on skill - luck ?? Not this kid... Mike

[Pb2au]

Skillful.
I have found it is annoying, expensive and generally bothersome when I my skill sets were meager. I have spent my life in the pursuit of learning how to do things. It is by this I earn my money. Simply being stubborn and will full enough to learn how to do things well.

[cbrick]

Well, I guess I'm lucky cause I worked at having a few skills.

Rick

[searcher4851]

I chose skill years ago. Luck only gets you so far, and only if you happen to have it.

[btroj]

Sometimes it takes luck to have the right skill at the right time. Being a skilled auto mechanic doesn't help much when the computer crashes........

[lbaize3]

I am somewhat skillful and darned lucky. If I have to give up one, it would be the skill. I would much rather be lucky than skillful.

[Bzcraig]

I am skillful and have purposefully, with maybe some luck surrounded myself with those who have skills I don't.

[searcher4851]

The acquisition of knowledge is a skill that is sadly lacking nowadays. Acquiring knowledge in many areas allows the ability to develop skills in those areas, and many skills can be transferred to other areas with enough knowledge. The quest for knowledge is what kept me coming back to this site, and is the reason that this is the first site I check each day, and sometimes the only site I have time to check out. The expanse of knowledge available here in so many different areas, makes this a truly remarkable site.

[Bullshop]

I don't believe in luck. I believe in blessings. Blessings can come from two sources depending on which you worship/follow either knowingly or unknowingly. I prefer the blessing from the one I worship that is the source of the skill of my hand, least I not boast that it is of me.

[Jim Flinchbaugh]

I'm lucky becasue I was born with a skill based brain.
Skill can brew luck, luck is well, up to the tinsel fairy

[Charlie Two Tracks]

+1 Bullshop. You nailed it.

[ShooterAZ]

I am skillful, but for some reason I keep playing the lottery.

[Char-Gar]

Success in all areas of life comes from good decision making. Luck has nothing to do with it. Skill with what? Skill in critical thinking and decision making? Sure that is the key. But skill in other areas of life may bring financial rewards, but very little else.

Blessings? I have known many deeply faithful people whose life were in shambles, because that made very poor quality decision. I don't know how much God blesses stupid, but I wouldn't count on it.

[MT Gianni]

Luck happens one win out of ten skill wins 9 out of 9.

[gray wolf]

For the first time I am not going to read the other post first, the answer is so simple for ME,
so I will state it and then go and read what others have said.
I have always depended on my skill, sometimes a high level, and some times a little lower, depending on the task at hand.
But always depending on my skill to figure things out and then dexterity to perform the task.
Always trying to let my skill level be in front of my desire to do something.
Luck ? -- if I waited for luck I would still be trying to tie my shoes.

[Bullshop]

Success in all areas of life comes from good decision making. Luck has nothing to do with it. Skill with what? Skill in critical thinking and decision making? Sure that is the key. But skill in other areas of life may bring financial rewards, but very little else.

Blessings? I have known many deeply faithful people whose life were in shambles, because that made very poor quality decision. I don't know how much God blesses stupid, but I wouldn't count on it.

Philosophical opinion - stupid is trusting in ones self and not in him. Sound decision making ability is a blessing not luck. God brings rain on the wicked as well as the righteous.

[DHurtig]

This thread touches on one of my major addictions in life. I confess to you all that I am a Texas Hold 'em player. We have " free roll " tournaments here and I play daily. I have played over a thousand local tournaments. These normally have from 30 to 60 players. I am good enough that I expect to make the final table and I do close to half of the time. So many new players think it is a game of luck. Luck often trumps skill, but you seldom see the "Lucky" players at the final table. Oh, there is always a lucky player there, but it is never the same one on a regular basis. What is sad is the number of players that over time never learn the skills involved and continue to count on luck. Most of the time they are not around long enough to realize how many players run deep in a tournament on a regular basis. I guess it's true, " Ignorance is bliss ".

This is a perfect example of the second statement below.

[theperfessor]

I'll take skill. Arnold Palmer made a difficult shot once and a reporter commented on how lucky he was. He replied that the more he practiced the luckier he got.

[monadnock#5]

I once participated in a snowball fight where the guy beside me threw a snowball that just barely missed the target. As the snowball was in flight, the oblivious intended target bent over to gather up more snow. Meanwhile, the snowball in flight sailed harmlessly over his head and back by a scant 3-4". The thrower turned to me and said "He won't ever know will he?". "Nope, he never will" said I.

It's easy to know how the skill sets we've developed have helped, aided and assisted us over the course of our lives. Not so much the dumb luck that goes into zigging when we might have zagged, or taken the high road when the low load was a more scenic route.

I know in whom I put my trust Bullshop. It sure as hell ain't me.

[montana_charlie]

My only skill is an ability to learn new things.
When I am lucky, the things I have already learned are sufficient to be successful.
When I am unlucky I have to set about learning something new, so that I can overcome the setback.

I'll keep my 'skill', thanks. It's my only defense against bad luck.

CM

[Whiterabbit]

If my job was customer in a vegas casino, I will pick luck every time. For all other cases, I pick skill every time.

For a case study on (military) skill generating its own luck (and in spades, too) read your Ceasar.

[Char-Gar]

Philosophical opinion - stupid is trusting in ones self and not in him. Sound decision making ability is a blessing not luck. God brings rain on the wicked as well as the righteous.

Oh I believe in trusting in God alright. I have also seen people do all sorts of stupid things they attribute to God, but in reality come from some somewhere inside of them. Some folks claim the Holy Spirit is behind all sorts of notions, impulses and actions of theirs. God is not stupid, but some Christians sure make Him seem so, with all of the nonsense the lay on Him.

In 37 years as a local pastor I can't begin to tell you how many folks have said to me "God told me", "God revealed to me" or "God instructed me" to say and do all sorts of things that were stupid and destructive beyond belief.

Trust in God, but have grave doubts about your ability to discern His will. It can be done, but more often that not it is the flesh that is talking and not the Spirit.

If sound decision making is a blessing, I have seen many many more folks that have not received that blessing that have. Christian folks have come into my office by the droves over the years with lives screwed up by a dose of stupid. They most certainly were not blessed in such a way.

[waynem34]

I would not mind having some of that good luck every once in a blue moon. I'll take luck.

[bangerjim]

I am VERY skillful and, as such, am most fortunate (not lucky) to have things go right almost 100% if the time.

You have to throw in another word that is rarely used today.....WISDOM! Something you cannot learn.....it is inherent in your DNA. Most do not have it. A fortunate few do have it.

banger

"people that think they know everything......really piss of those of us that do!" HA.....ha! :bigsmyl2:

[WallyM3]

If my job was customer in a vegas casino, I will pick luck every time. For all other cases, I pick skill every time.

For a case study on (military) skill generating its own luck (and in spades, too) read your Ceasar.

U. S. Grant.

[camotruck]

People often say "Good Luck" I always reply "Luck isn't a factor"
Camo

[yoter]

Skillful is repeatable.

[41 mag fan]

I'm not skillful enough to be lucky and I'm not lucky enough to be skillful.
Is S.O.L. included on that list?

[Bullshop]

Oh I believe in trusting in God alright. I have also seen people do all sorts of stupid things they attribute to God, but in reality come from some somewhere inside of them. Some folks claim the Holy Spirit is behind all sorts of notions, impulses and actions of theirs. God is not stupid, but some Christians sure make Him seem so, with all of the nonsense the lay on Him.

In 37 years as a local pastor I can't begin to tell you how many folks have said to me "God told me", "God revealed to me" or "God instructed me" to say and do all sorts of things that were stupid and destructive beyond belief.

Trust in God, but have grave doubts about your ability to discern His will. It can be done, but more often that not it is the flesh that is talking and not the Spirit.

If sound decision making is a blessing, I have seen many many more folks that have not received that blessing that have. Christian folks have come into my office by the droves over the years with lives screwed up by a dose of stupid. They most certainly were not blessed in such a way.

Agreed people do stupid things. We could get into a long discussion about what is and what is not a blessing. What I will point out however is the fact that our example in the Bible shows us that the Hebrew people were more likely to turn to God when their lives were the most screwed up and the most likely to turn from him when they were greatly prospering.
In my own life the times that have been the worst are the times that I have moved closest to God.
So with those examples I have to ask because it is something that I ponder, Is bad news that turns someone to God a blessing or a curse?
For example if a person has had an easy life with great abundance but has never felt the need to seek God, if that person receives news that they have terminal cancer and a short time to live but if this news is the trigger that causes that person to seek God is the cancer a blessing or a curse? In my mind anything that turns a person to God and is the stimulus to their salvation is a blessing.
Another question I ask is poverty a curse and is wealth a blessing. Stupidity may well lead to poverty but it may well be the best opportunity a stupid person has of finding God through their poverty.
Then God has people like you that are their blessing to help them find and stay the narrow path.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Philosophical Question:

If you could choose either one or the other would you rather be skilful or lucky?
Considering the nature of this website, I'd suspect 99.99% of the members here have already chosen to be skilful.

With that said, the difference between skill and luck (how ever you define luck ??)...is you can't chose luck.

It sure is tempting to want to know what having lots of pure luck would be like ? I suspect it might be like a episode of the TV show "The Twilight Zone" ...You get everything you want, yet you still want more and feel like you have nothing.
OR better yet,
as Soloman said in Ecclesiastes, "vanity of vanities; all is vanity"

[waynem34]

A near miss from death is luck right? I dont know how much skill can dodge the bullet if it were a near miss.Its like asking if theres any such thing as an accident?Not really if you think about it.I think luck is about being cautious,observant,and mindful.Skill sets are small but important depending on your mindset and needs.I have found determination to be the deciding factor for I.Its about sacrifice to enjoy wealth.I wish you all Great Luck and safety.FWIW

[montana_charlie]

A near miss from death is luck right? I dont know how much skill can dodge the bullet if it were a near miss.
If you take fate, karma, and God's plan out of the equation, I think luck best describes whatever it is that keeps you from being killed when the situation is one where you have no control over events.

I've had several 'close calls' but I usually had some ability to manage events.
Like, I took a large piece of shrapnel in the back over in Vietnam.
But, it wasn't luck that had me wearing a flak jacket which absorbed to blow.

I have had a few uncontrolled 'near misses,' and the first was when I turned my bicycle directly into the path of an oncoming semi out on Hiway 66.
The accident was my fault and caused by inexperience and stupidity, but it was 'luck' that kept me alive.
I was unconcious for thirteen days and had a number of busted parts, but I didn't die because the truck didn't happen to connect with whatever it was that kept me going. Missing 'that part of me' can only have been luck ...

CM

[buckwheatpaul]

I agree with WalleyM3...if youn are skillful you dont need luck....you make it; work around it; or conquer it.....

[Hickory]

There are a lot of like minds here.
With skill you make your own luck.

[dagger dog]

You can't be skilled in all things but you may be lucky enough to be skilled in a few.

[2AMMD]

If I survived on luck I would have starved to death before age 20. I was blessed with common sense and mechanical skills (don't know where they came from), but I'm almost 59 and doing OK.
2AMMD

[pdawg_shooter]

What if you are like me...no skills and no luck? LOL

[koehn,jim]

I would rather be skillful I learned years ago the harder I worked the luckier I got.

[M-Tecs]

Unless it's for the 400 millon lottery skilful hands down.

[WallyM3]

[QUOTE=M-Tecs;2700141]Unless it's for the 400 millon lottery skilful hands down.[/QUOTE

(mmmm....there is that)

[DRNurse1]

If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all.

I would say knowledge, wisdom, and skill trumps all. I have dedicated my life to the pursuit of knowledgeable, wise and skillful manipulation of my environment. Sometimes things go right, and sometimes they go wrong, but skill, knowledge, and wisdom bring the mountains to your eye's, and the valleys to your feet.

Well said. The simple version is: "Be Prepared." Do what you can with the things available, including mentors and "anti-mentors" (learning what NOT to do) to improve your self and your situation.

[Char-Gar]

Bullshop...... I can only agree with your thinking in your last post. As the Brits would say, you are spot on. I was thinking about your post and we had a reading in church yesterday from Romans 5...

" vs. 3-5 More than that, we rejoice in our suffering, knowing the suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Sprit which has been given to us."

Like you I have found myself closest to God in the worst of times. Blessings do not come when we get what we want, but when we don't get what we want, because the greatest blessing is the full presence of God in our lives. At times, I think folks tend to confuse God with the genie of the lamp who grants the wishes of he/she who rubs it the right way and says the magic words.

[Char-Gar]

As I do a review of my almost 72 years on this earth, I can find no instances of luck save one. I was lucky to be born into a solid, supportive and strongly Christian family. I was taught, instructed and given good examples of the proper stuff from the cradle.

That bit of luck, either directly or indirectly, one way or another, has resulted in everything good in my life and nothing bad in my life.

I would like to call this a blessing, but when I do, my mind wanders to the people who were born into a trash home and I don't like to think God doesn't care for them and didn't want to bless them as well. I don't want to think that God blessed me with a good home and cursed others with a bad home, so I will just call it luck and leave it there.

[SharpsShooter]

I don't believe in luck. I believe in blessings. Blessings can come from two sources depending on which you worship/follow either knowingly or unknowingly. I prefer the blessing from the one I worship that is the source of the skill of my hand, least I not boast that it is of me.

Amen Dan


SS

[Echo]

Skillful is more reliable that Lucky...