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'I want and you want, but a God/higher power wants'

This is an Arabic idiom used when 2 people don't get what they want and they believe a higher power got what he wants, and it is maybe for the better.

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    What is the question? Do you want an equivalent idiom that is familiar to English speakers?
    – herisson
    Commented Jan 30, 2016 at 6:59
  • Yes, that is my question.
    – user151577
    Commented Jan 30, 2016 at 7:00
  • You may use this quite similar expression: "God's ways are not our ways".
    – Graffito
    Commented Jan 30, 2016 at 11:06
  • One potato, two potato comes to mind. Dunno why...
    – Drew
    Commented Jan 31, 2016 at 3:53

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From De Imitatione Christi (The Imitation of Christ) by Thomas à Kempis, in the original Latin:

Homo proponit, sed Deus disponit.

the translation of which gives us the saying

Man proposes, but God disposes.

In other words, human beings may declare the outcomes they desire, but God decides what happens.

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  • I proposed to myself that I would give this answer first. But God disposed it and handed it over to one @deadrat! :P
    – BiscuitBoy
    Commented Jan 30, 2016 at 9:54

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