How often things occur by mere chance which we dared not even hope for

How often things occur by mere chance which we dared not even hope for

Terence, a Roman playwright and poet, is often credited with the quote, "How often things occur by mere chance which we dared not even hope for." This sentiment speaks to the unpredictable nature of life and the unexpected twists and turns that can lead us to outcomes we never imagined possible.

In the context of Terence's works, this quote can be seen as a reflection of the themes of fate, fortune, and the role of chance in shaping our lives. Terence's plays often explore the idea of characters being at the mercy of fate, with events unfolding in ways that are beyond their control. This sense of unpredictability and the idea that things can happen by chance is a recurring motif in his works.

One of Terence's most famous plays, "The Brothers," tells the story of two brothers who are separated at birth and later reunited through a series of chance encounters and twists of fate. The play explores the idea that even the most unlikely events can occur through sheer luck and coincidence, leading to outcomes that are both surprising and unexpected.