Choose Quote by Murasaki Shikibu
““I leave you, to go the road we all must go. The road I would choose, if only I could, is the other.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Tale of Genji, Chapter 54, 11th century Japan
The speaker longs for an alternative path, reflecting regret and desire for a different destiny.
In simple terms: Wishing for a different life path.
Key Takeaway
Consider the choices you truly want.
Themes
regret
choice
destiny
Mood
melancholy
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career crossroads
- relationship decisions
- personal growth
- life planning
Key Concepts
existential longing
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you change if you could choose another path?
- How does longing affect your present actions?
A Different Perspective
The quote idealizes an unattainable path, ignoring practical constraints.
![“She had never driven far alone before. The notion of dividing her lovely journey into miles and hours was silly; she saw it [...] as a passage of moments, each one new, carrying her along with them, taking her down a path of incredible novelty to a new place. The journey itself was her positive…” quote by Shirley Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1dd/shirley-jackson-1526_end-of-the-world_she-had-never-driven-far-alone-before-th_1891820.jpg)
