What is the difference between fate and destiny?

1. 77

   Anishpatposted 12 years ago

   What is the difference between fate and destiny?
   
   Or is there one?
   
   

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2. 81

   Wayne Brownposted 12 years ago

   I am not sure there really is a difference in that the words appear to be interchangeable and are most commonly used in the aftermath.  Hindsight is 20/20.  If someone gains great fame as a writer here on the Hub and goes on the become an NYT best-seller, there are those who woud say, based on their knowledge of the talent, that this person was "destined" for greatness or that this person's fate was sealed the first time the pen touched the paper.  To speak of fate or destiny in a future sense is merely a projection but hopefully one made on the basis of sound information.  There are also some religions that subscribe to "predestination"...that we are born to this life with a direction and pupose that we cannot change.  Either way, I do not see a distinct difference between the two words.  WB

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   1. 74

      pagesvoiceposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That is a great response and one I can not add anything to.

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3. 59

   Quirinusposted 12 years ago

   Off the top of my head: "fate" is what (or maybe who) takes us to our "destiny".

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4. 0

   msorenssonposted 12 years ago

   Fate is what was predicted for you (left hand data). Destiny is what you create it to be (right hand data).
   Fate is fixed. Destiny is fluid.

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5. 35

   edhanposted 12 years ago

   Fate is written from the day you are born.
   
   But you can change your fate by changing your destiny. That is why there is Feng Shui.
   
   It helps a person to change his/her destiny by studying what FATE lies ahead.
   
   If you believe in Feng Shui then you will know that your destiny lies in your hand. To change for the better or worst depends on you.

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6. 60

   amb1jerposted 12 years ago

   Your destiny is what you achieve if fate doesn't intervene. We are destined for a certain path in life, yet our fate relies on the choices we make to get there.

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7. 62

   sethpowersposted 12 years ago

   The disparities are nuanced. If I had to say, fate would be something that is certain to happen in the future due to a grand scheme (i.e. forces of nature), whereas destiny is something that must be realized and achieved by the individual, even if the individual has been granted the potential to do so.
   
   For example, moving away from your girlfriend to go to college then reuniting with her 6 years later in another state because you both got a job at the same company is fate. Assuming power of the company you work for after the owner (who is your mentor) dies would be destiny.

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8. 0

   VeronicaInspiresposted 12 years ago

   Destiny is letting God control your life and what he wants to do with and through you. Destiny is being spirit-led.
   
   Fate is when you're not being spirit-led and you're succumbing to whatever life throws your way.
   
   When you operate on fate, you have no control; God has no control.

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