--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I doubt you cared this much about their…" description: "\"“I doubt you cared this much about their feelings when you chose this path,” Iolaus said. He didn’t raise his voice. The truth doesn’t need to be shout..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/esther-m-friesner-8605_quote_i-doubt-you-cared-this-much-about-their_123225.jpg" --- # I doubt you cared this much about their feelings when you… ![“I doubt you cared this much about their feelings when you chose this path,” Iolaus said. He didn’t raise his voice. The truth doesn’t need to be shouted. “Maybe not,” I answered, looking him in the eyes. “But I had to choose it.” “That’s ridiculous.” “No more ridiculous than why you’re ready to…” quote by Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/esther-m-friesner-8605_quote_i-doubt-you-cared-this-much-about-their_123225.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/esther-m-friesner-8605_quote_i-doubt-you-cared-this-much-about-their_123225.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/esther-m-friesner-8605_quote_i-doubt-you-cared-this-much-about-their_123225.jpg) > ““I doubt you cared this much about their feelings when you chose this path,” Iolaus said. He didn’t raise his voice. The truth doesn’t need to be shouted. “Maybe not,” I answered, looking him in the eyes. “But I had to choose it.” “That’s ridiculous.” “No more ridiculous than why you’re ready to sail into the unknown. The only person who needs to chase after the Golden Fleece is Prince Jason, yet you and all the others are joining him for the sake of pure adventure. You hunger for it! Why can’t I?” “Enough.” Iolaus raised his hand. “You win, for your brothers’ sake and because I’ve got the feeling you’d find a way to sneak aboard no matter how much they or I try to stop you. I wish some of the men I know had half your boldness. It’s strange to see it in a girl. Perhaps you’re really Atalanta’s daughter.” My smile answered his. “My nurse, Ione, said I was Zeus’s child.” “My uncle Herakles is supposed to be Zeus’s son. You two must be related. He’s a great one for following his heart first and thinking about the consequences afterward. Or never.” His teeth flashed in the shadows of the old fishwife’s home. “I’ll keep your secret.” “Thank you. You won’t have to do it for very long. You said I didn’t care about my brothers’ feelings when I decided to join this quest. You were right. I’ve only been thinking about what I want.” I took a deep breath. What I was about to say tore at my heart, but I couldn’t escape it. “I’ll go back to Delphi. It’s one thing to take a chance with my own life, but not with so many others.” “Oh, I agree,” Iolaus said. “Which is why I intend to take very good care of my new weapons bearers.”” [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker wrestles with personal desire versus responsibility to others, acknowledging selfish motives while recognizing the need to protect the group. **In simple terms:** Balancing selfish ambition with duty to companions. Key Takeaway Self‑interest clashes with collective responsibility. Themes responsibility self‑interest heroism family choice Mood conflicted determined reflective Type dialogue mythic retelling character monologue When to use this quote - deciding to join a risky project - choosing personal ambition over group welfare - confronting a friend about motives - making a promise to protect others - reconciling personal desire with duty Key Concepts moral conflict identity sacrifice Practical Applications - reflect on personal motives before committing - communicate openly about intentions Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities do I have to those who depend on me? - How can I pursue personal goals without harming others? A Different Perspective The speaker’s justification may ignore the real impact on others, making the excuse self‑serving. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agree Iolaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agree-iolaus-1433391/) [Gaze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) [Hunger Iolaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hunger-iolaus-1433393/) [Iolaus Raised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iolaus-raised-1433392/) [Iolaus Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/iolaus-said-603802/) [Path Iolaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path-iolaus-1433394/) ## Related quotes > [“I see fire, yes,” Iolaus said, shading his eyes. “But battle?” “Trust Lynceus,” Hylas replied. “He sees what he sees. Glaucus, come with me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/i-see-fire-yes-iolaus-said-shading-his-eyes-but-battle-trust-lynceus/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“I didn’t say it just to get you to jump. I’m in love with you, Zane,” he admitted in a calm, clear voice. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-urban/i-didn-t-say-it-just-to-get-you-to-jump-i-m-in-love-with-you-zane-he/) [Madeleine Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-urban/) > [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. "I was so wrong.I can't find words to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/you-know-when-i-said-i-didn-t-need-you-i-asked-he-lifted-one-brow-i/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) > [His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-fingertips-slid-down-from-my-face-lightly-stroking-the-line-of-my/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [“Damn.” Phineas turned the Big Boy off, then noticed he’d left the box on the bed. Damn, had Zoltan seen it? He stuffed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/damn-phineas-turned-the-big-boy-off-then-noticed-he-d-left-the-box-on/) [Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/) > [“She knew how to play him so very well. He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly. Her smile was bright enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/she-knew-how-to-play-him-so-very-well-he-slipped-his-hand-around-hers/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-a-valentine/don-t-you-remember-how-hot-we-were-together-lane-god-he-takes-a-quick/) [Michelle A. Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-a-valentine/) > [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/) [Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/) > [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? Struggling for the right words, I opened my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-wild/still-feel-the-same-way-could-he-have-changed-this-much-on-the-inside/) [Meredith Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-wild/) > [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/) [Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/) > [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/) [J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/) > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) ## More by Esther M. Friesner > [“Because the truth holds the greatest magic, the greatest beauty, and sometimes the greatest danger,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/because-the-truth-holds-the-greatest-magic-the-greatest-beauty-and/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [Captures the reader with true magic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/captures-the-reader-with-true-magic/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“I don't hold memories in my hand, but I'll never let them go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/i-don-t-hold-memories-in-my-hand-but-i-ll-never-let-them-go/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“Now, Polydeuces, let her be,” Castor said, hugging me again. “Look at that face! Her brow’s all creased with worry, and for nothing. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/now-polydeuces-let-her-be-castor-said-hugging-me-again-look-at-that/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“Where have you been, Milo?” I asked quietly. “It’s been three days.” “Working for Jason,” Milo replied, his voice low. I frowned, setting the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/where-have-you-been-milo-i-asked-quietly-it-s-been-three-days-working/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [It's not enough to be born free; I have to live my freedom!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/it-s-not-enough-to-be-born-free-i-have-to-live-my-freedom/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“I’d say that of the two choices, Helen will be safest if she finds her own way back.” “A girl traveling alone on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/i-d-say-that-of-the-two-choices-helen-will-be-safest-if-she-finds-her/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“Here’s a lesson for you, lad.” Melitta leaned forward and poked him sharply in the ribs with one gnarled finger. “Don’t drink heavily at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/here-s-a-lesson-for-you-lad-melitta-leaned-forward-and-poked-him/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“I brought him here,” he said, eager to claim credit for whatever had so overjoyed his king. “I caught him making a sacrifice to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/i-brought-him-here-he-said-eager-to-claim-credit-for-whatever-had-so/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“I pray Aphrodite will help him find someone who loves him as much as he loves her.” “That’s a good prayer.” Father gave me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/i-pray-aphrodite-will-help-him-find-someone-who-loves-him-as-much-as/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“The old woman said something and thrust the bowl into my hands. I looked to Argus. “What am I supposed to do?” “You had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/the-old-woman-said-something-and-thrust-the-bowl-into-my-hands-i/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“You’re safe. Thank the gods.” Milo appeared at my side, dripping wet, his face scratched and battered. With a shamefaced smile he added, “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/you-re-safe-thank-the-gods-milo-appeared-at-my-side-dripping-wet-his/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“Are you trying to make me jealous, my pretty bird?” Theseus asked, teasing. He took one of the filled wine goblets from the cupbearer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/are-you-trying-to-make-me-jealous-my-pretty-bird-theseus-asked/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [Some men were nothing but overgrown boys who never got over the "fun" of teasing girls, just to get noticed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/some-men-were-nothing-but-overgrown-boys-who-never-got-over-the-fun/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) > [“Don’t call me ‘Helen,’” I said firmly, brushing Polydeuces’ question aside unanswered. “Helen of Sparta wouldn’t be on this ship. I’m Atalanta.” “I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/don-t-call-me-helen-i-said-firmly-brushing-polydeuces-question-aside/) [Esther M. Friesner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) [Explore all 79 Esther M. Friesner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-m-friesner/) ## More Gaze quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [“Taylor said a prayer for the man, and apologized out loud. Knowing there was nothing left to do, she turned to leave. As she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-t-ellison/taylor-said-a-prayer-for-the-man-and-apologized-out-loud-knowing/) [J.T. Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-t-ellison/) > [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Rodrigo tried to draw a deep breath, but his chest was too filled with anguish, rage and guilt. He kissed his ash-coated fingers. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-valdez/rodrigo-tried-to-draw-a-deep-breath-but-his-chest-was-too-filled-with/) [Lisa Valdez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-valdez/) > [“still feel the same way? Could he have changed this much on the inside too? Struggling for the right words, I opened my mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-wild/still-feel-the-same-way-could-he-have-changed-this-much-on-the-inside/) [Meredith Wild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-wild/) > [“Being held by him, kissed and mastered, taken under and swept away, enthralled her in a way she—an independent woman if nothing else in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-sumner/being-held-by-him-kissed-and-mastered-taken-under-and-swept-away/) [Tracy Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-sumner/) > [“Don’t you remember how hot we were together, Lane? God.” He takes a quick breath through clenched teeth and runs his hand down my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-a-valentine/don-t-you-remember-how-hot-we-were-together-lane-god-he-takes-a-quick/) [Michelle A. Valentine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-a-valentine/) > [“She knew how to play him so very well. He slipped his hand around hers. "Friends," he repeated roughly. Her smile was bright enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-smith/she-knew-how-to-play-him-so-very-well-he-slipped-his-hand-around-hers/) [Kathryn Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-smith/) > [“Damn.” Phineas turned the Big Boy off, then noticed he’d left the box on the bed. Damn, had Zoltan seen it? He stuffed the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrelyn-sparks/damn-phineas-turned-the-big-boy-off-then-noticed-he-d-left-the-box-on/) [Kerrelyn Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrelyn-sparks/) > [“Now you," Grandma barks at him. "Yes, you, the invisible truck driver," she added, giving me a wicked grin. "Go stand next to Rose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/now-you-grandma-barks-at-him-yes-you-the-invisible-truck-driver-she/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [His fingertips slid down from my face, lightly stroking the line of my neck, down toward my shoulder. Everywhere he touched, a trail of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/his-fingertips-slid-down-from-my-face-lightly-stroking-the-line-of-my/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“from THE DEVIL YOU KNOW : She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emery-lee/from-the-devil-you-know-she-wanted-him-too-he-could-see-it-in-the/) [Emery Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emery-lee/) > [“You know when I said I didn't need you?" I asked. He lifted one brow. "I was so wrong.I can't find words to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/you-know-when-i-said-i-didn-t-need-you-i-asked-he-lifted-one-brow-i/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [“I didn’t say it just to get you to jump. I’m in love with you, Zane,” he admitted in a calm, clear voice. “I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-urban/i-didn-t-say-it-just-to-get-you-to-jump-i-m-in-love-with-you-zane-he/) [Madeleine Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-urban/) > [“This explains so much," she said, clucking her tongue in mother-hen fashion. "You're compensating for this withered appendage." Withered appendage? What the devil was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/this-explains-so-much-she-said-clucking-her-tongue-in-mother-hen/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) [Browse all 15,087 Gaze quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gaze/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I doubt you cared this much about their feelings when you chose this path,” Iolaus said. He didn’t raise his voice. The truth doesn’t need to be shouted. “Maybe not,” I answered, looking him in the eyes. “But I had to choose it.” “That’s ridiculous.” “No more ridiculous than why you’re ready to sail into the unknown. The only person who needs to chase after the Golden Fleece is Prince Jason, yet you and all the others are joining him for the sake of pure adventure. You hunger for it! Why can’t I?” “Enough.” Iolaus raised his hand. “You win, for your brothers’ sake and because I’ve got the feeling you’d find a way to sneak aboard no matter how much they or I try to stop you. I wish some of the men I know had half your boldness. It’s strange to see it in a girl. Perhaps you’re really Atalanta’s daughter.” My smile answered his. “My nurse, Ione, said I was Zeus’s child.” “My uncle Herakles is supposed to be Zeus’s son. You two must be related. He’s a great one for following his heart first and thinking about the consequences afterward. Or never.” His teeth flashed in the shadows of the old fishwife’s home. “I’ll keep your secret.” “Thank you. You won’t have to do it for very long. You said I didn’t care about my brothers’ feelings when I decided to join this quest. You were right. I’ve only been thinking about what I want.” I took a deep breath. What I was about to say tore at my heart, but I couldn’t escape it. “I’ll go back to Delphi. It’s one thing to take a chance with my own life, but not with so many others.” “Oh, I agree,” Iolaus said. “Which is why I intend to take very good care of my new weapons bearers.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Esther M. Friesner" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/i-doubt-you-cared-this-much-about-their-feelings-when-you-chose-this/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gaze" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-m-friesner/i-doubt-you-cared-this-much-about-their-feelings-when-you-chose-this/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/esther-m-friesner-8605_quote_i-doubt-you-cared-this-much-about-their_123225.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/esther-m-friesner-8605_quote_i-doubt-you-cared-this-much-about-their_123225.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/esther-m-friesner-8605_quote_i-doubt-you-cared-this-much-about-their_123225.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I doubt you cared this much about their feelings when you chose this path,” Iolaus said. He didn’t raise his…” — Esther M. 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