--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Choice is a signature of our species." description: "\"Choice is a signature of our species.\" — Diane Ackerman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02c/diane-ackerman-1035_choice_choice-is-a-signature-of-our-species-217_217500.png" --- # Choice is a signature of our species. ![“Choice is a signature of our species.” quote by Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02c/diane-ackerman-1035_choice_choice-is-a-signature-of-our-species-217_217500.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02c/diane-ackerman-1035_choice_choice-is-a-signature-of-our-species-217_217500.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02c/diane-ackerman-1035_choice_choice-is-a-signature-of-our-species-217_217500.png) > “Choice is a signature of our species.” [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Making choices defines humanity, distinguishing us from other species. **In simple terms:** Choices define humanity. Key Takeaway Celebrate the power of decision‑making. Themes philosophy human nature choice Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career paths - ethical dilemmas - daily decisions - creative pursuits Key Concepts free will evolutionary psychology Questions to Reflect On - What choices shape your identity? - How to handle decision fatigue? A Different Perspective Choice overload can be paralyzing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ## Related quotes > [...and my signature is drawn in magic markeron the lower right hand corner of the windowso when something passes in the darkit's captured for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-berman/and-my-signature-is-drawn-in-magic-markeron-the-lower-right-hand/) [David Berman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-berman/) > [I've always worn a lot of Ralph Lauren, and plaid shirts in general have been a signature piece for me. With plaid, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avicii/i-ve-always-worn-a-lot-of-ralph-lauren-and-plaid-shirts-in-general/) [Avicii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avicii/) > [From famous artists to building contractors, we all want to leave our signature. Our lasting effect. Your life after death. We all want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/from-famous-artists-to-building-contractors-we-all-want-to-leave-our/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [I'm not a star. I don't feel I'm so great. So how can I make you feel great just because you've got my signature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mr-t/i-m-not-a-star-i-don-t-feel-i-m-so-great-so-how-can-i-make-you-feel/) [Mr. T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mr-t/) > [Thinking about your training should put a smile on your face. As cliche as it sounds, you are worth all the time and energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-sanders/thinking-about-your-training-should-put-a-smile-on-your-face-as/) [Summer Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-sanders/) > [Art is the signature of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/art-is-the-signature-of-man/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Resilency, not perfection, is the signature of greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/resilency-not-perfection-is-the-signature-of-greatness/) [James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) > [My ambition is to further create a signature sound, a signature spirit, that makes some kind of contribution to music in general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lee-roth/my-ambition-is-to-further-create-a-signature-sound-a-signature-spirit/) [David Lee Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lee-roth/) > [Success is when your signature becomes an autograph.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdul-kalam/success-is-when-your-signature-becomes-an-autograph/) [Abdul Kalam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdul-kalam/) > [ A conservationist is one who is humbly aware that with each stroke \[of the axe\] he is writing his signature on the face of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldo-leopold/a-conservationist-is-one-who-is-humbly-aware-that-with-each-stroke-of/) [Aldo Leopold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldo-leopold/) > [Lyndon Johnson may have escalated the war, but when I was drafted and shipped off to Vietnam, the signature on my orders was Nixon's.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-gunton/lyndon-johnson-may-have-escalated-the-war-but-when-i-was-drafted-and/) [Bob Gunton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-gunton/) > [You had only one chance for a signature in life, but most people left no impression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-wolitzer/you-had-only-one-chance-for-a-signature-in-life-but-most-people-left/) [Meg Wolitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-wolitzer/) > [I think that there was a fad where everyone said, 'I want you to create a signature step for my artist.' The thing is,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurieann-gibson/i-think-that-there-was-a-fad-where-everyone-said-i-want-you-to-create/) [Laurieann Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurieann-gibson/) > [SUCCESS DEFINITION-- WHEN OUR SIGNATURE CHANGES TO AUTOGRAPH ,this marks the success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdul-kalam/success-definition-when-our-signature-changes-to-autograph-this-marks/) [Abdul Kalam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdul-kalam/) > [I always do book signings with the same blue pen. That way, if I add a personalised message to a book I've already signed,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-grisham/i-always-do-book-signings-with-the-same-blue-pen-that-way-if-i-add-a/) [John Grisham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-grisham/) ## More by Diane Ackerman > [A self is a frightening thing to waste, it's the lens through which one's whole life is viewed, and few people are willing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/a-self-is-a-frightening-thing-to-waste-it-s-the-lens-through-which/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [“Our lives together, our duet, also continues to evolve, and even if we can’t go back to how it was, we’re designing a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/our-lives-together-our-duet-also-continues-to-evolve-and-even-if-we/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/hit-a-tripwire-of-smell-and-memories-explode-all-at-once-a-complex/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [Horses have made civilization possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/horses-have-made-civilization-possible/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [Look at your feet. You are standing in the sky. When we think of the sky, we tend to look up, but the sky…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/look-at-your-feet-you-are-standing-in-the-sky-when-we-think-of-the/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [Who would deduce the dragonfly from the larva, the iris from the bud, the lawyer from the infant? ...We are all shape-shifters and magical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/who-would-deduce-the-dragonfly-from-the-larva-the-iris-from-the-bud/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [Though we marry as adults, we don't marry adults. We marry children who have grown up and still rejoice in being children, especially if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/though-we-marry-as-adults-we-don-t-marry-adults-we-marry-children-who/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [Libraries change lives. They are the soul of a people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/libraries-change-lives-they-are-the-soul-of-a-people/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [“The etymology of the Hebrew word for prophet, navi, combines three processes: navach (to cry out), nava (to gush or flow), and navuv (to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/the-etymology-of-the-hebrew-word-for-prophet-navi-combines-three/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [Knee-deep in the cosmic overwhelm, I’m stricken by the ricochet wonder of it all: the plain everythingness of everything, in cahoots with the everythingness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/knee-deep-in-the-cosmic-overwhelm-i-m-stricken-by-the-ricochet-wonder/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [ Symbolic of life, hair bolts from our head\[s\]. Like the earth, it can be harvested, but it will rise again. We can change its… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/symbolic-of-life-hair-bolts-from-our-head-s-like-the-earth-it-can-be/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [“Most people know that 30 to 40 percent of the world's Jews were killed during World War II, but not that 80 to 90…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/most-people-know-that-30-to-40-percent-of-the-world-s-jews-were/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [The further we distance ourselves from the spell of the present, explored by our senses, the harder it will be to understand and protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/the-further-we-distance-ourselves-from-the-spell-of-the-present/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [Culture is what people invent when they have lost nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/culture-is-what-people-invent-when-they-have-lost-nature/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) > [In rare moments of deep play, we can lay aside our sense of self, shed time's continuum, ignore pain, and sit quietly in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/in-rare-moments-of-deep-play-we-can-lay-aside-our-sense-of-self-shed/) [Diane Ackerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) [Explore all 304 Diane Ackerman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/) ## More Choice quotes > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [“That’s all! Now either leave us alone or join us as a father rather than a receiver of sacrifices. You have the choice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/that-s-all-now-either-leave-us-alone-or-join-us-as-a-father-rather/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“Exactly. So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/exactly-so-what-can-t-you-take-decide-which-of-the-two-options-is/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [“too—I realized that my only hope was to give up the life that had been, in order to make room for the life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/too-i-realized-that-my-only-hope-was-to-give-up-the-life-that-had/) [Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [You dont choose your life; it chooses you. Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [There has always been a feeling with people that they love my singing but not always the choice of material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/there-has-always-been-a-feeling-with-people-that-they-love-my-singing/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [I have too many options when it comes to guitars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/i-have-too-many-options-when-it-comes-to-guitars/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [“Amazing how a small choice can change your life forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-c-dockens/amazing-how-a-small-choice-can-change-your-life-forever/) Randy C. Dockens > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Since I don't outline my books very much, I feel like sometimes I don't have a choice in what the characters do; they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-todd/since-i-don-t-outline-my-books-very-much-i-feel-like-sometimes-i-don/) [Anna Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-todd/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Words can only have an effect on you if you choose to listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/words-can-only-have-an-effect-on-you-if-you-choose-to-listen-to-them/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) [Browse all 8,092 Choice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Choice is a signature of our species.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Diane Ackerman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/choice-is-a-signature-of-our-species/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Choice" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/choice-is-a-signature-of-our-species/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02c/diane-ackerman-1035_choice_choice-is-a-signature-of-our-species-217_217500.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02c/diane-ackerman-1035_choice_choice-is-a-signature-of-our-species-217_217500.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/02c/diane-ackerman-1035_choice_choice-is-a-signature-of-our-species-217_217500.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Choice is a signature of our species.” — Diane Ackerman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Diane Ackerman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-ackerman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Choice is a signature of our...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/choice-is-a-signature-of-our-species/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-ackerman/choice-is-a-signature-of-our-species/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```