---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why... did I choose *this*?! I might've…"
description: "\"“Why... did I choose *this*?! I might've been able to save them... I left them to die! I... I... That's it... It's because... I wanted... something new..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/hajime-isayama-23302_choose_why-did-i-choose-this-i-might-ve-been-ab_2661428.jpg"
---

#  Why... did I choose \*this\*?! I might've been able to save…

![“Why... did I choose &#42;this&#42;?! I might've been able to save them... I left them to die! I... I... That's it... It's because... I wanted... something new to rely on... something to believe in... like I did when I was with them... I'm sick of... being treated like a monster. I've had enough... of…” quote by Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/hajime-isayama-23302_choose_why-did-i-choose-this-i-might-ve-been-ab_2661428.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/hajime-isayama-23302_choose_why-did-i-choose-this-i-might-ve-been-ab_2661428.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/hajime-isayama-23302_choose_why-did-i-choose-this-i-might-ve-been-ab_2661428.jpg)

> ““Why... did I choose \*this\*?! I might've been able to save them... I left them to die! I... I... That's it... It's because... I wanted... something new to rely on... something to believe in... like I did when I was with them... I'm sick of... being treated like a monster. I've had enough... of being shunned... So... I just wanted to think... that I should believe in my comrades... because it's easier that way...””

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A character grapples with guilt, feeling abandoned and monstrous, seeking belonging through loyalty to comrades.

**In simple terms:** Guilt drives a desire for acceptance.

Key Takeaway

Seek support, not self‑punishment.

Themes

guilt belonging identity

Mood

intense conflicted

Type

literary psychological

When to use this quote

- counseling
- team building
- self‑care
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

psychology war trauma group dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- What does it mean to be a monster?
- How can one find purpose after betrayal?

A Different Perspective

Self‑exoneration can hinder accountability.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Believe Comrades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-comrades-2430812/) [Choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose/) [Comrades Easier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comrades-easier-2430813/) [Did Choose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/did-choose-504456/) [Eren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eren-56833/) [Eren-jaeger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eren-jaeger-56834/) [Jaeger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jaeger-95748/) [Snk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snk-172721/) [Wanted Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wanted-think-293207/)

## Related quotes

> [“There's something I firmly believe in: the people who have the ability to change something in this world. All, without exception, have guts to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/there-s-something-i-firmly-believe-in-the-people-who-have-the-ability/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“The world is merciless, and it's also very beautiful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/the-world-is-merciless-and-it-s-also-very-beautiful/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“On that day, mankind received a grim reminder. We lived in fear of the Titans and were disgraced to live in these cages we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/on-that-day-mankind-received-a-grim-reminder-we-lived-in-fear-of-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“What's so good about giving up? Is it better to escape from reality, to the point where you're throwing away your hope?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/what-s-so-good-about-giving-up-is-it-better-to-escape-from-reality-to/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“Believe in yourself... or believe in me and them... the Survey Corps. I don't know the answer. I never have. Whether you trust in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/believe-in-yourself-or-believe-in-me-and-them-the-survey-corps-i-don/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [Andrea Jaeger plays tennis like she's double-parked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-carillo/andrea-jaeger-plays-tennis-like-she-s-double-parked/)

[Mary Carillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-carillo/)

> [“The world is ending. This is your chance. Would you rather die here, or in a Jaeger?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-irvine/the-world-is-ending-this-is-your-chance-would-you-rather-die-here-or/)

[Alex Irvine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-irvine/)

## More by Hajime Isayama

> [“Petra Ral, 10 kills, 48 assists. Oluo Bozado, 39 kills, 9 assists. Eld Jinn, 14 kills, 32 assists. Gunther Schultz, 7 kills, 40 assists.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/petra-ral-10-kills-48-assists-oluo-bozado-39-kills-9-assists-eld-jinn/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“You know personally, I think nothing instills discipline like pain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/you-know-personally-i-think-nothing-instills-discipline-like-pain/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“You can't change anything unless you can discard part of yourself too. To surpass monsters, you must be willing to abandon your humanity -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/you-can-t-change-anything-unless-you-can-discard-part-of-yourself-too/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“The only thing we're allowed to believe is that we won't regret the choice we made.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/the-only-thing-we-re-allowed-to-believe-is-that-we-won-t-regret-the/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“There's something I firmly believe in: the people who have the ability to change something in this world. All, without exception, have guts to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/there-s-something-i-firmly-believe-in-the-people-who-have-the-ability/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“The difference in judgement between you and me originates from different rules derived from past experience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/the-difference-in-judgement-between-you-and-me-originates-from/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“Levi: "Somebody please shut up these god-damned brats." Hanji: "Good thing those wide-eyed kids don't know what a cleanliness freak you are... they'd be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/levi-somebody-please-shut-up-these-god-damned-brats-hanji-good-thing/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“Once I’m dead, I won’t even be able to remember you. So I’ll win, no matter what. I’ll live, no matter what!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/once-i-m-dead-i-won-t-even-be-able-to-remember-you-so-i-ll-win-no/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [When we're born. . . All of us. . . Are free. People who reject that, no matter how strong they are. . . Don't matter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/when-we-re-born-all-of-us-are-free-people-who-reject-that-no-matter/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“Channel the anger swelling inside you Fighting the boundary 'till you break through Deep in your soul there's no hesitation So make yourself the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/channel-the-anger-swelling-inside-you-fighting-the-boundary-till-you/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“At that moment... I was utterly confused. I've never heard about Titans killing their own kind. Then I was slightly exalted. Because what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/at-that-moment-i-was-utterly-confused-i-ve-never-heard-about-titans/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“Solo puede enfrentar a un monstruo, aquel que se atreve a abandonar su humanidad”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/solo-puede-enfrentar-a-un-monstruo-aquel-que-se-atreve-a-abandonar-su/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“If I can't do it. . . I'll just die. But if I win, I live. If I don't fight, I can't win.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/if-i-can-t-do-it-i-ll-just-die-but-if-i-win-i-live-if-i-don-t-fight-i/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [The only thing we're allowed to do is to believe that we won't regret the choice we made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/the-only-thing-we-re-allowed-to-do-is-to-believe-that-we-won-t-regret/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

> [“You couldn't save your mom because you weren't strong enough to do so. As for me, I couldn't stand and face the titan because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/you-couldn-t-save-your-mom-because-you-weren-t-strong-enough-to-do-so/)

[Hajime Isayama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

[Explore all 25 Hajime Isayama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/)

## More Choose quotes

> [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/)

[Pancho Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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/)

> [If somebody asks me to choose a biopic, it would be Narain Karthikeyan because I love racing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naga-chaitanya/if-somebody-asks-me-to-choose-a-biopic-it-would-be-narain-karthikeyan/)

[Naga Chaitanya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naga-chaitanya/)

> [“Either you soften your ego, or the world will do it for you. Choose!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/either-you-soften-your-ego-or-the-world-will-do-it-for-you-choose/)

[Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/)

> [I'm aware of who I am and I'm comfortable with who I choose to date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shibani-dandekar/i-m-aware-of-who-i-am-and-i-m-comfortable-with-who-i-choose-to-date/)

[Shibani Dandekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shibani-dandekar/)

> [No actor wants to choose - they just want all of the options available to them all the time; we tend to be pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-jacobs/no-actor-wants-to-choose-they-just-want-all-of-the-options-available/)

[Gillian Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-jacobs/)

> [If you choose to work at a larger company over a smaller company, you are more likely to be higher paid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-sweet/if-you-choose-to-work-at-a-larger-company-over-a-smaller-company-you/)

[Julie Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-sweet/)

> [You can't choose what stays and what stays away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-welch/you-can-t-choose-what-stays-and-what-stays-away/)

[Florence Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-welch/)

> [It's only a thought and a thought can be changed. Choose good ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/it-s-only-a-thought-and-a-thought-can-be-changed-choose-good-ones/)

[Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/)

> [People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime...so you gotta choose who is good for you! Be wise, be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-come-into-your-life-for-a-reason-a-season-or-a-lifetime-so-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I'm not opposed - we manufacture a lot of socks in North Carolina - I just choose not to wear them. It's a Southern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-burr/i-m-not-opposed-we-manufacture-a-lot-of-socks-in-north-carolina-i/)

[Richard Burr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-burr/)

> [Having too many options is bad. I want one person, just one. Not a whole bunch to choose from,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roderickthefirst/having-too-many-options-is-bad-i-want-one-person-just-one-not-a-whole/)

[RoderickTheFirst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roderickthefirst/)

> [If I could be anyone, I'd choose the lead singer of Arcade Fire, Win Butler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-kardashian/if-i-could-be-anyone-i-d-choose-the-lead-singer-of-arcade-fire-win/)

[Rob Kardashian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-kardashian/)

> [People are as happy as they choose to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/people-are-as-happy-as-they-choose-to-be/)

[Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/)

[Browse all 3,851 Choose quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Why... did I choose *this*?! I might've been able to save them... I left them to die! I... I... That's it... It's because... I wanted... something new to rely on... something to believe in... like I did when I was with them... I'm sick of... being treated like a monster. I've had enough... of being shunned... So... I just wanted to think... that I should believe in my comrades... because it's easier that way...”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Hajime Isayama"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/why-did-i-choose-this-i-might-ve-been-able-to-save-them-i-left-them/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Choose"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/why-did-i-choose-this-i-might-ve-been-able-to-save-them-i-left-them/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/hajime-isayama-23302_choose_why-did-i-choose-this-i-might-ve-been-ab_2661428.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/hajime-isayama-23302_choose_why-did-i-choose-this-i-might-ve-been-ab_2661428.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7de/hajime-isayama-23302_choose_why-did-i-choose-this-i-might-ve-been-ab_2661428.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Why... did I choose *this*?! I might've been able to save them... I left them to die! I... I... That's it…” — Hajime Isayama",
                "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": "Hajime Isayama",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hajime-isayama/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Why... did I choose *this*?! I...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/why-did-i-choose-this-i-might-ve-been-able-to-save-them-i-left-them/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hajime-isayama/why-did-i-choose-this-i-might-ve-been-able-to-save-them-i-left-them/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
