Drown Quote by Caitlín R. Kiernan
““There's always a siren, singing you to shipwreck. Some of us may be more susceptible than others are, but there's always a siren. It may be with us all our lives, or it may be many years or decades before we find it or it finds us. But when it does find us, if we're lucky we're Odysseus tied up to the ship's mast, hearing the song with perfect clarity, but ferried to safety by a crew whose ears have been plugged with beeswax. If we're not at all lucky, we're another sort of sailor stepping off the deck to drown in the sea.””
About This Quote
Source Short story: “The Siren’s Call”, 2019
People face alluring dangers; awareness and preparation can lead to safety, otherwise they may be overwhelmed.
In simple terms: Dangerous temptations can lead to ruin or rescue.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate self‑awareness and seek supportive allies.
Themes
temptation
risk
survival
mythology
Mood
cautionary
hopeful
Type
mythic
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- career crossroads
- relationship choices
- creative blocks
Key Concepts
psychology
mythic archetype
decision making
Questions to Reflect On
- What “siren” are you ignoring?
- How can you prepare for its arrival?
A Different Perspective
Not all warnings are evident; timing of realization varies.
![“Once the sailors heard it [the siren's song] all that mattered didn't matter anymore.” quote by Mitch Maurer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/952/mitch-maurer-197767_priorities_once-the-sailors-heard-it-the-siren-s-so_2341465.jpg)
