--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And so,' smiled the Witcher, 'I have no…" description: "\"“And so,' smiled the Witcher, 'I have no choice? I have to enter into a pact with you, a pact which should someday become the subject of a painting, an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a55/andrzej-sapkowski-1769_genetics_and-so-smiled-the-witcher-i-have-no-choi_1692149.jpg" --- # And so,' smiled the Witcher, 'I have no choice? I have to… ![“And so,' smiled the Witcher, 'I have no choice? I have to enter into a pact with you, a pact which should someday become the subject of a painting, and become a sorcerer? Give me a break. I know a little about the theory of heredity. My father, as I discovered with no little difficulty, was a…” quote by Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a55/andrzej-sapkowski-1769_genetics_and-so-smiled-the-witcher-i-have-no-choi_1692149.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a55/andrzej-sapkowski-1769_genetics_and-so-smiled-the-witcher-i-have-no-choi_1692149.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a55/andrzej-sapkowski-1769_genetics_and-so-smiled-the-witcher-i-have-no-choi_1692149.jpg) > ““And so,' smiled the Witcher, 'I have no choice? I have to enter into a pact with you, a pact which should someday become the subject of a painting, and become a sorcerer? Give me a break. I know a little about the theory of heredity. My father, as I discovered with no little difficulty, was a wanderer, a churl, a troublemaker and a swashbuckler. My genes on the spear side may be dominant over the genes on the distaff side. The fact that I can swash a buckler pretty well seems to confirm that.”” [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character jokes about destiny and genetics, mixing humor with the idea that family traits influence abilities, yet choices remain. **In simple terms:** Genes affect us, but we still choose our path. Key Takeaway Accept inherited traits but shape your own destiny. Themes destiny family humor Mood playful reflective Type literary humorous When to use this quote - role‑playing games - character development - storytelling - personal decision making Key Concepts genetics free will identity Questions to Reflect On - Do you feel your background limits you? - Can humor help confront fate? A Different Perspective Humor may mask deeper existential concerns about agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Genetics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genetics/) [Heredity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heredity/) [Heredity Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heredity-father-1065475/) [Swashbuckler Genes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swashbuckler-genes-1065473/) [Swashbuckling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swashbuckling/) [Theory Heredity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theory-heredity-1065474/) [Witcher Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witcher-choice-1065476/) ## Related quotes > [As much as I love period movies and especially more swashbuckling movies, I think that sometimes they tend to be, umm... it's hard for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-helgeland/as-much-as-i-love-period-movies-and-especially-more-swashbuckling/) [Brian Helgeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-helgeland/) > [“Conor, I could search the world for another swashbuckling scientist, but I doubt if I would find one like you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/conor-i-could-search-the-world-for-another-swashbuckling-scientist/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [T. E. Lawrence was far more than a glamorous, swashbuckling, heroic figure in flowing robes mounted on a camel, leading the Arab tribes against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-korda/t-e-lawrence-was-far-more-than-a-glamorous-swashbuckling-heroic/) [Michael Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-korda/) > [People identify with the swashbuckling individuals, not polite little men who field their position well. Sir Galahad had a big following - but I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-veeck/people-identify-with-the-swashbuckling-individuals-not-polite-little/) [Bill Veeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-veeck/) > [“Follow that coffeehouse.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/follow-that-coffeehouse/) [Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/) > [“Then, after picking up his papers, Pierre began: “A beautiful woman can be the downfall of a gentleman . . . but the uplift of a beggar!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-anthony-roberts/then-after-picking-up-his-papers-pierre-began-a-beautiful-woman-can/) [Ted Anthony Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-anthony-roberts/) > [“Is this seat taken?” she asked him again, tapping on a chair at the table. “That’s where my Rum is sitting. He is my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-anthony-roberts/is-this-seat-taken-she-asked-him-again-tapping-on-a-chair-at-the/) [Ted Anthony Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-anthony-roberts/) > [If you want swashbuckling action in your life, become an entrepreneur and give it a go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/if-you-want-swashbuckling-action-in-your-life-become-an-entrepreneur/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [If they ever come up with a swashbuckling School, I think one of the courses should be Laughing, Then Jumping Off Something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/if-they-ever-come-up-with-a-swashbuckling-school-i-think-one-of-the/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [Richard wondered how the marquis managed to make being pushed around in a wheelchair look like a romantic and swashbuckling thing to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/richard-wondered-how-the-marquis-managed-to-make-being-pushed-around/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [When I was growing up, Tottenham were many people's second team - with Glenn Hoddle, Ossie Ardiles and Steve Archibald helping them to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-jordan/when-i-was-growing-up-tottenham-were-many-people-s-second-team-with/) [Simon Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-jordan/) > [In my grammar school years back in the 1920s I used my ten-cents-a-week allowance for Saturday matinees of Douglas Fairbanks movies. All that swashbuckling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beverly-cleary/in-my-grammar-school-years-back-in-the-1920s-i-used-my-ten-cents-a/) [Beverly Cleary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beverly-cleary/) > [“By the time I got to high school, I had learned to be more cautious about revealing my dreams. I was reading—and therefore writing—adventure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-a-obreht/by-the-time-i-got-to-high-school-i-had-learned-to-be-more-cautious/) [Téa Obreht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-a-obreht/) > [Every man's closet must contain a trench coat. It's hard for any gentleman not to look dashing when clad in this swashbuckling style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-stone/every-man-s-closet-must-contain-a-trench-coat-it-s-hard-for-any/) [Roger Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-stone/) > [My first movie was 'The Mask Of Zorro,' and that was all swords and horses and swashbuckling, and I thought, 'This is what movies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-letscher/my-first-movie-was-the-mask-of-zorro-and-that-was-all-swords-and/) [Matt Letscher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-letscher/) ## More by Andrzej Sapkowski > [“The princess looks like a striga!” he yelled. “Like the most strigish striga I have heard of!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/the-princess-looks-like-a-striga-he-yelled-like-the-most-strigish/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“There are things in heaven and earth that even philosophers have never dreamed about.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/there-are-things-in-heaven-and-earth-that-even-philosophers-have/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“The moon shines bright, The vampire alights Swish, swish goes his cloak . . . Maiden, are you not afeared?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/the-moon-shines-bright-the-vampire-alights-swish-swish-goes-his-cloak/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“For whoever doesn’t overcome the cowardice inside themselves will die of fear to the end of their days. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/for-whoever-doesn-t-overcome-the-cowardice-inside-themselves-will-die/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“I predict a bad end for your race, humans,’ Zoltan Chivay said grimly. ‘Every sentient creature on this earth, when it falls into want,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/i-predict-a-bad-end-for-your-race-humans-zoltan-chivay-said-grimly/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“But, Dandelion, I could never resist the temptation of having a look at something that doesn’t exist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/but-dandelion-i-could-never-resist-the-temptation-of-having-a-look-at/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“Your mother gives birth to you only once and only once do you die,' the witcher said calmly. 'An appropriate philosophy for a louse,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/your-mother-gives-birth-to-you-only-once-and-only-once-do-you-die-the/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“The Witcher had a knife to his throat. He was wallowing in a wooden tub, brimfull with soapsuds, his head thrown agains the slippery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/the-witcher-had-a-knife-to-his-throat-he-was-wallowing-in-a-wooden/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“I’ll pay back what I owe,’ he said quietly. ‘I won’t forget. It may happen that one day you’ll be in need of help.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/i-ll-pay-back-what-i-owe-he-said-quietly-i-won-t-forget-it-may-happen/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“The Witcher bounding softly, the girl trotting, the Witcher on his knees, the girl’s thin hands around his neck, the mousy hair on his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/the-witcher-bounding-softly-the-girl-trotting-the-witcher-on-his/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“It is easy to kill with a bow, girl. How easy it is to release the bowstring and think, it is not I, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/it-is-easy-to-kill-with-a-bow-girl-how-easy-it-is-to-release-the/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [Lesser, greater, middling, it's all the same. Proportions are negotiated, boundaries blurred. I'm not a pious hermit, I haven't done only good in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/lesser-greater-middling-it-s-all-the-same-proportions-are-negotiated/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“Your mother gives birth to you only once and only once do you die,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/your-mother-gives-birth-to-you-only-once-and-only-once-do-you-die/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“You won't do it.' Bonhart's voice resounded in the complete silence. 'You won't do it, witcher girl. In Kaer Morhen you were taught how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/you-won-t-do-it-bonhart-s-voice-resounded-in-the-complete-silence-you/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) > [“- A ty? Ty nie miewasz już snów? - Miewam - powiedział z goryczą. - Ale od przekroczenia Jarugi bardzo rzadko. I w ogóle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrzej-sapkowski/a-ty-ty-nie-miewasz-ju-sn-w-miewam-powiedzia-z-gorycz-ale-od/) [Andrzej Sapkowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) [Explore all 161 Andrzej Sapkowski quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrzej-sapkowski/) ## More Genetics quotes > [“Genetics is a science full of gods, Mr. Sanchez.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valeria-luiselli/genetics-is-a-science-full-of-gods-mr-sanchez/) [Valeria Luiselli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valeria-luiselli/) > [Biochemists and biologists who adhere blindly to the Darwinism theory search for results that will be in agreement with their theories and consequently orient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-paul-grasse/biochemists-and-biologists-who-adhere-blindly-to-the-darwinism-theory/) [Pierre-Paul Grasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-paul-grasse/) > [“A geneticist is a geek who claims to have proven through regression analyses that a Neanderthal had sex with your great-grandmother 50,000 years ago.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gaede/a-geneticist-is-a-geek-who-claims-to-have-proven-through-regression/) [Bill Gaede](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gaede/) > [“The truth has a way of coming out of the closet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/march-lions/the-truth-has-a-way-of-coming-out-of-the-closet/) [March Lions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/march-lions/) > [With the absence of a flu vaccination last year, I did not take a flu shot; but there is still some immunity that carries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/with-the-absence-of-a-flu-vaccination-last-year-i-did-not-take-a-flu/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Mild autism can give you a genius like Einstein. If you have severe autism, you could remain nonverbal. You don't want people to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/mild-autism-can-give-you-a-genius-like-einstein-if-you-have-severe/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [The family we choose for ourselves is more important than the one we were born into; that people have to earn our respect and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-de-lint/the-family-we-choose-for-ourselves-is-more-important-than-the-one-we/) [Charles de Lint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-de-lint/) > [Soon it will be a sin for parents to have a child that carries the heavy burden of genetic disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-edwards/soon-it-will-be-a-sin-for-parents-to-have-a-child-that-carries-the/) [Bob Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-edwards/) > [You certainly can't prevent all mental health problems - factors like genetics and traumatic life events certainly play a role. But everyone can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-morin/you-certainly-can-t-prevent-all-mental-health-problems-factors-like/) [Amy Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-morin/) > [All illnesses have some heredity contribution. It's been said that genetics loads the gun and environment pulls the trigger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/all-illnesses-have-some-heredity-contribution-it-s-been-said-that/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [Genetic engineering is a result of science advancement, so I don't think that in itself is bad. If used wisely, genetics can be beneficial,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hideo-kojima/genetic-engineering-is-a-result-of-science-advancement-so-i-don-t/) [Hideo Kojima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hideo-kojima/) > [“My dad will win, I silently countered, even as I smiled sweetly. I couldn’t wait to spike the ball right through her block, no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lane/my-dad-will-win-i-silently-countered-even-as-i-smiled-sweetly-i/) [Jennifer Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lane/) > [“Genetics plays a role in determining who gets an anxiety disorder, what type it is (e.g., worry, compulsive”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-emmons/genetics-plays-a-role-in-determining-who-gets-an-anxiety-disorder/) [Henry Emmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-emmons/) > [In college, I had an early introduction to classical genetics from Professor Dan Lindsley, also an extraordinary teacher who influenced me greatly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-beutler/in-college-i-had-an-early-introduction-to-classical-genetics-from/) [Bruce Beutler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-beutler/) > [Reincarnation, at least as I conceive it, does not nullify what we know about evolution and genetics. It suggests, however, that there may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-stevenson/reincarnation-at-least-as-i-conceive-it-does-not-nullify-what-we-know/) [Ian Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-stevenson/) [Browse all 287 Genetics quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genetics/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“And so,' smiled the Witcher, 'I have no choice? I have to enter into a pact with you, a pact which should someday become the subject of a painting, and become a sorcerer? Give me a break. I know a little about the theory of heredity. My father, as I discovered with no little difficulty, was a wanderer, a churl, a troublemaker and a swashbuckler. My genes on the spear side may be dominant over the genes on the distaff side. 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