Man Proposes, God Disposes A reminder to stay humble.

That means that men try but God decides and carries out. We have free-will and the tools to act, but God is the arbiter of what succeeds and what does not.

The familiar phrase "Man proposes, God disposes" is an example of antithesis, as is John Dryden's description in "The Hind and the Panther" : "Too black for heaven, and yet too white for hell." ...

Nowhere.

This sounds more like what you might read off of one of those rented marquee signs on the lawn outside of a local church building.

This phrase means that while people may make plans and have intentions for the future, ultimately it is up to a higher power or fate to determine the outcome. It highlights the idea that despite our efforts and intentions, external forces beyond our control can influence or alter the outcome of events.