APAD: In the lap of the gods

Meaning:

Beyond human control

 

Background:

This phrase is first recorded in Homer's Iliad which is believed to date from

the 8th century BC.

 

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Man seeks to know what's within his power as reflected by the serenity prayer:

    God, grant me the

    Serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

    Courage to change the things I can,

    And wisdom to know the difference.

 

I suspect God has allowed the first two but withheld the third wish and I ended

up less sure of anything :-)

 

The 'lap' here means "An area of responsibility, interest, or control: an

opportunity that dropped in his lap." [AHD4]

A lot of things are beyond human control.

In the palm of Buddah Rulai

Yes, I believe too that god withdrew the 3rd wish!

美语版越来越红火，这应该是god应许了盈盈版主的！

Thks for introducing the new meaning of the word “lap“.

That meaning was NOT explicitly listed in the NOAD.

NOAD=New Oxford American Dictionary.

哈哈。托方兄吉言。高兴大家在美坛一起玩，一起学。最近你是不是又出门跑马拉松刚回来？：））

只是工作忙，不想分散注意力。

了解。我最近两周也很忙。到圣诞节附近就可以休假了。hurrah，hurrah ～～

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