Shallow men believe in luck, believe in circumstances — it was somebody’s name, or he happened to be there at the time, or it was so then, and another day would have been otherwise. Strong men believe in cause and effect.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) American essayist, lecturer, poet

Essay (1860), “Worship,” The Conduct of Life, ch. 6
    (Source)

Based on a course of lectures, "The Conduct of Life," delivered in Pittsburg (1851-03).