“Duty is ours; results are God's”
— John Quincy Adams
Simplified Meaning:
This quote means that our job is to do our best and carry out our responsibilities, but we can't control how things will turn out. Picture a student studying hard for an exam. They can focus on understanding the material, going to classes, and practicing problems. However, once the test starts, they can't guarantee a perfect score because there might be unexpected questions. The student did their duty by preparing, but the final grade is beyond their control. In life, we should put effort into our tasks, like being kind to others, working diligently at our jobs, or taking care of our families. Even if things don't go exactly as we hope, we've done our part by trying our best. This idea teaches us to focus on our actions and not worry too much about the outcomes since those are not always in our hands. It helps reduce stress because we learn to accept that some aspects are beyond our reach. For example, a gardener can plant seeds and water them, but they can't control the weather or ensure every plant grows successfully. By doing what we can and letting go of what we can't control, we find peace and satisfaction in our efforts.