Man proposes, God disposes

Cultural  

1. People can make plans; God determines how things will turn out.

---

Example Sentences

Very familiar examples are these—"Little pot, soon hot," "A stitch in time saves nine," "Many a little makes a mickle," "No gains without pains," and "Man proposes, God disposes."

From Proverb Lore Many sayings, wise or otherwise, on many subjects, gleaned from many sources by Hulme, F. Edward (Frederick Edward)

In 1864, "Man proposes, God disposes," was painted, an Arctic incident suggested by the finding of the relics of Sir John Franklin.

From Famous European Artists by Bolton, Sarah K.

In no walk of life is that head-light axiom, "Man proposes, God disposes," so often flashed plump in the eyes of enthusiastic travellers for their bewilderment or befuddlement as in finance.

From Frenzied Finance Vol. 1: The Crime of Amalgamated by Lawson, Thomas William

But, alas! as I have just said, "Man proposes, God disposes."

From Strange True Stories of Louisiana by Cable, George Washington

If the clauses are very short, and are alike in form, a comma is usually permissible: Man proposes, God disposes.

From A Foreword to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition by James, Juliet Helena Lumbard