--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Stephen rubbed at his face. “Look, I have…" description: "\"“Stephen rubbed at his face. “Look, I have three choices. I never see you again so I’m not tempted; I give in to temptation and milk you for power unti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/k-j-charles-13405_choice_stephen-rubbed-at-his-face-look-i-have-t_387426.jpg" --- # Stephen rubbed at his face. “Look, I have three choices. I… ![“Stephen rubbed at his face. “Look, I have three choices. I never see you again so I’m not tempted; I give in to temptation and milk you for power until I’m a raging madman; or I control myself. I don’t like the first two options.” quote by K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/k-j-charles-13405_choice_stephen-rubbed-at-his-face-look-i-have-t_387426.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/k-j-charles-13405_choice_stephen-rubbed-at-his-face-look-i-have-t_387426.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc7/k-j-charles-13405_choice_stephen-rubbed-at-his-face-look-i-have-t_387426.jpg) > ““Stephen rubbed at his face. “Look, I have three choices. I never see you again so I’m not tempted; I give in to temptation and milk you for power until I’m a raging madman; or I control myself. I don’t like the first two options.”” [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) ## 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 wrestles with three extreme options, highlighting the struggle between surrendering to temptation, using others for power, or exercising self‑control. **In simple terms:** Choosing self‑control over destructive extremes. Key Takeaway Practice restraint before giving in. Themes self‑control temptation power morality Mood tension reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - relationships - career decisions - personal growth - conflict resolution Key Concepts ethics psychology willpower Questions to Reflect On - What would you choose when faced with a tempting but harmful shortcut? - How can you strengthen self‑discipline in daily life? A Different Perspective Self‑control is hard when temptation offers immediate reward. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation/) ## Related quotes > [“I said, ask.” “Nicely?” Justin enquired. “I doubt you’re capable of nicely outside the seance room.” Justin bared his teeth, then let himself go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/i-said-ask-nicely-justin-enquired-i-doubt-you-re-capable-of-nicely/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [I can't control myself to fall in love with you. .because f or me,you my everything and you are my all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-alapan/i-can-t-control-myself-to-fall-in-love-with-you-because-f-or-me-you/) [Mitch Alapan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-alapan/) > [“struggle to control myself as her hands slide through my hair, ever so lovingly. 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When I moved to London at 16, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-ve-been-so-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-but-i-m-such-a/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) ## More by K.J. Charles > [“They don’t make spectacles for you, do they?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/they-don-t-make-spectacles-for-you-do-they/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [“Justin Lazarus was without question a disgraceful fraud, but as his lips moved in silent prayer, Nathaniel could not help the thought that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/justin-lazarus-was-without-question-a-disgraceful-fraud-but-as-his/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [“If you tell me no, I will be silent. If you prefer, I shall never ask again. But you should know that I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/if-you-tell-me-no-i-will-be-silent-if-you-prefer-i-shall-never-ask/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [“Clem tried to marshal his meaning to his tongue,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/clem-tried-to-marshal-his-meaning-to-his-tongue/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [“Of course Kim had buggered off as unpredictably as he'd appeared, because he was an untrustworthy shit and a lord. There had never been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/of-course-kim-had-buggered-off-as-unpredictably-as-he-d-appeared/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [“When I have you, sweet boy, it will be because you want me to. Not against your better judgment, not in spite of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/when-i-have-you-sweet-boy-it-will-be-because-you-want-me-to-not/) [K.J. 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Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [“What the fuck, what the fucking, bloody devil-shit, what in the name of Satan's swollen cock was that?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/what-the-fuck-what-the-fucking-bloody-devil-shit-what-in-the-name-of/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [“Miss Nodder leaned forward, then glanced round at Stephen. "Are you in this conversation, of just skulking?" "Mostly skulking." Stephen had a particular knack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/miss-nodder-leaned-forward-then-glanced-round-at-stephen-are-you-in/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [“Wednesday by Wednesday, week by week, I have become yours for the taking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/wednesday-by-wednesday-week-by-week-i-have-become-yours-for-the-taking/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [“Clem didn’t seem to have whatever ability it was that let other people “just tell,” and it felt as if there was an entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/clem-didn-t-seem-to-have-whatever-ability-it-was-that-let-other/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [“Heroic," Crane told Baines contemptuously. "Old women, idiot children, bound men, you'll take on all comers. There's a three-legged stray dog hangs around the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/heroic-crane-told-baines-contemptuously-old-women-idiot-children/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) > [“That was the sort of thing people said and then it turned out they hadn’t meant that at all. Clem knew he didn’t recognise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-j-charles/that-was-the-sort-of-thing-people-said-and-then-it-turned-out-they/) [K.J. Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) [Explore all 50 K.J. Charles quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-j-charles/) ## 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. 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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. 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