Everybody has choices, Mother. The poorest girl alive may…
““Everybody has choices, Mother. The poorest girl alive may not be able to choose between being Queen of England or Principal of Newnham; but she can choose between rag-picking and flower-selling, according to her taste. People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People shape their destiny by creating or seeking the circumstances they desire, not by blaming existing conditions.
In simple terms: You control your fate by making or finding opportunities.
Key Takeaway
Create the conditions you need.
Themes
agency
choice
determination
social mobility
Mood
determined
optimistic
Type
motivational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- entrepreneurship
- personal growth
- social activism
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑efficacy
empowerment
Questions to Reflect On
- What circumstances can you create today?
- How do you turn obstacles into opportunities?
A Different Perspective
Finding the right circumstances may be constrained by systemic barriers.