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Choices Quote by Catherynne M. Valente

“Of course not. No one is chosen. Not ever. Not in the real world. You chose to climb out of your window and ride on a leopard. You chose to get a witch’s Spoon back, and to make friends with a wyvern. You chose to trade your shadow for a child’s life. You chose not to let the Marquess hurt your…” quote by Catherynne M. Valente
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““Of course not. No one is chosen. Not ever. Not in the real world. You chose to climb out of your window and ride on a leopard. You chose to get a witch’s Spoon back, and to make friends with a wyvern. You chose to trade your shadow for a child’s life. You chose not to let the Marquess hurt your friend--you chose to smash her cages! You chose to face your own Death, not to balk at a great sea to cross and no ship to cross it in. And twice now you have chosen not to go home when you might have, if only you abandoned your friends. You are not the chosen one, September. Fairyland did not choose you--you chose yourself. You could have had a lovely holiday in Fairyland and never met the Marquess, never worried yourself with local politics, had a romp with a few brownies and gone home with enough memories for a lifetime’s worth of novels. But you didn’t. You chose. You chose it all. Just like you chose your path on the beach: to lose your heart is not a path for the faint and fainting.””

Catherynne M. Valente

About This Quote

Source Novel: Fairyland, 2011

Self-determination shapes destiny; choices define identity beyond external labels.

In simple terms: Your choices make you who you are.

Key Takeaway

Own your decisions.

Themes

agency choice identity heroism

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

narrative philosophical

When to use this quote

  • career crossroads
  • personal growth
  • ethical dilemmas
  • adventure narratives

Key Concepts

self‑determination fate responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

  • What choices define your path?
  • How do you confront imposed expectations?
A Different Perspective

External forces can limit options despite personal will.

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