Choosing Quote by Catherynne M. Valente
““But the trouble is, I do want to be surprised. I want to choose. I broke the heart of my fate so that I could choose. I never chose; I only saw a little girl who looked like me standing on a gear at the end of the world and laughing, and that's not choosing, not really. Wouldn't you rather I chose you? Wouldn't you rather I picked our future out of all the others anyone could have?””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Radiant Sea, 2018
The speaker longs for agency, feeling trapped by destiny yet yearning for surprise and choice.
In simple terms: Wanting control while craving unexpected outcomes.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty and make deliberate choices.
Themes
freedom
destiny
choice
surprise
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- relationships
- creative projects
- personal growth
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑determination
fate
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “choosing” truly mean to you?
- How can you create surprise within constraints?
A Different Perspective
Choice can be illusory when external forces dominate.
