--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have often thought about this, and I…" description: "\"“I have often thought about this, and I have come to the conclusion that everything that I am is owed to you. You were like a gun that fired me a long ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/382/louis-de-bernieres-5492_long-way_i-have-often-thought-about-this-and-i-ha_2946953.jpg" --- # I have often thought about this, and I have come to the… ![“I have often thought about this, and I have come to the conclusion that everything that I am is owed to you. You were like a gun that fired me a long way off, but the aim was yours. If you are proud of me it is because your aim was true.” The General smiled. “I could have trusted you to come up…” quote by Louis de Bernières](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/382/louis-de-bernieres-5492_long-way_i-have-often-thought-about-this-and-i-ha_2946953.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/382/louis-de-bernieres-5492_long-way_i-have-often-thought-about-this-and-i-ha_2946953.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/382/louis-de-bernieres-5492_long-way_i-have-often-thought-about-this-and-i-ha_2946953.jpg) > ““I have often thought about this, and I have come to the conclusion that everything that I am is owed to you. You were like a gun that fired me a long way off, but the aim was yours. If you are proud of me it is because your aim was true.” The General smiled. “I could have trusted you to come up with a metaphor that I would have understood. Did you know that a shell when it comes out of the barrel wobbles badly for the first part of its trajectory? And then it settles to a perfect arc? Perhaps your behavior when you were younger was your way of wobbling.”” [Louis de Bernières](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-de-bernieres/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acknowledges a mentor's influence as the driving force behind personal success, likening it to a projectile guided by a true aim. **In simple terms:** Mentor shapes destiny like a guided projectile. Key Takeaway Recognize and thank those who guide you. Themes gratitude mentorship growth Mood reflective appreciative Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - career development - personal relationships - leadership - self‑reflection Key Concepts Guidance trajectory purpose Questions to Reflect On - Who has guided you without you knowing? - How does acknowledging influence change your self‑view? 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