I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.
William Ernest Henley, Invictus (Echoes IV, written 1875)
I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.
William Ernest Henley, Invictus (Echoes IV, written 1875)
What it means
Henley wrote this after losing a leg to tuberculosis and facing the loss of the other. Circumstances can take a lot, but not command of your own response. You steer the inner ship.
The source
"I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul." William Ernest Henley said it in Invictus (Echoes IV, written 1875). Written in English: Poems, 1898; first collected in A Book of Verses, 1888.
"I am the master of my fate: / I am the captain of my soul."Original English (Poems, 1898; first collected in A Book of Verses, 1888), Invictus (Echoes IV, written 1875). Text read at gutenberg.org.
Who said it
William Ernest Henley (1849–1903). English poet and editor who lost a leg to tuberculosis as a young man. He wrote Invictus in a hospital bed in 1875.
Questions
- What does "I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul." mean?
- Henley wrote this after losing a leg to tuberculosis and facing the loss of the other. Circumstances can take a lot, but not command of your own response. You steer the inner ship.
- Who said "I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul."?
- William Ernest Henley (1849–1903). Source: Invictus (Echoes IV, written 1875).
- What is the original wording?
- I am the master of my fate: / I am the captain of my soul (Original English (Poems, 1898; first collected in A Book of Verses, 1888)). Written in English: Poems, 1898; first collected in A Book of Verses, 1888.
- Is "I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul." on a shirt?
- Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 6 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.
Cite this line
"I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul." (William Ernest Henley, Invictus (Echoes IV, written 1875), trans. Original English (Poems, 1898; first collected in A Book of Verses, 1888)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/i-am-the-master-of-my-fate-i
Filed under Self.
Wear it your way
The same line in every look it fits. Each one is printed to order on heavy cotton, same price.
More from William Ernest Henley
- My head is bloody, but unbowed.Invictus (Echoes IV, written 1875)
- I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul.Invictus (Echoes IV, written 1875)
- The menace of the years finds me unafraid.Invictus (Echoes IV, written 1875)