See how fortune deludes us, and that which we put carefully into her hands, she either breaks or lets it fall from her hands, or causes it to be removed by the violence of another, or suffocates and poisons, or taints with suspicion, fear and jealousy to the great hurt and ruin of the possessor.

In the quote "See how fortune deludes us, and that which we put carefully into her hands, she either breaks or lets it fall from her hands, or causes it to be removed by the violence of another, or suffocates and poisons, or taints with suspicion, fear and jealousy to the great hurt and ruin of the possessor," Giordano Bruno reflects on the unpredictable and often deceptive nature of fortune. He suggests that no matter how carefully we try to manage or control our good luck or success, fortune is capricious. It may lead to the destruction or loss of what we hold dear, either by letting it slip away, being taken by external forces, or deteriorating from within due to negative emotions like suspicion, fear, and jealousy.

Bruno’s statement emphasizes the fragility of human endeavors and the uncontrollable forces at play in life. He portrays fortune as something that deceives us into thinking we have control over it, only to have it betray us in various destructive ways. This includes the violence of others, where external forces can interfere with and disrupt our plans, or the internal corruption of negative emotions that can destroy something precious from within. The imagery of fortune both poisoning and suffocating reflects how misfortune can lead to paranoia, self-doubt, and emotional ruin.

The reference to jealousy and fear shows how emotions can be an intrinsic part of the damage caused by fortune. Bruno warns that these emotions can infect what should be a blessing, tainting it with doubt and insecurity. This inner turmoil can be just as harmful, if not more so, than external challenges, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy where the fear of losing something precious contributes to its eventual destruction.

Ultimately, Bruno’s quote serves as a meditation on the transient and volatile nature of fortune and human life. It reminds us that success, wealth, and happiness are often beyond our control, subject to the whims of fate or the emotions we harbor. Through this lens, Bruno underscores the impermanence of human achievements and the inherent risks in placing too much trust in the fleeting nature of good fortune.