--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you choose not to decide, you still…" description: "\"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.\" — Neil Peart" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/neil-peart-3563_choice_if-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-ha_2609200.png" --- # If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. ![“If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” quote by Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/neil-peart-3563_choice_if-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-ha_2609200.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/neil-peart-3563_choice_if-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-ha_2609200.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/neil-peart-3563_choice_if-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-ha_2609200.png) > “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing not to decide is still a decision, reflecting passive acceptance of outcomes. **In simple terms:** Indecision is still a choice. Key Takeaway Recognize and own your passive choices. Themes responsibility choice passivity Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal relationships - career planning - financial decisions Key Concepts psychology decision theory Questions to Reflect On - What decisions are you avoiding? - How does in affect your life? A Different Perspective Passive choices can lead to unintended consequences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) ## Related quotes > [It's not peer pressure if I decide to do it. it's MY choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-not-peer-pressure-if-i-decide-to-do-it-it-s-my-choice/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice. If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/you-can-choose-a-ready-guide-in-some-celestial-voice-if-you-choose/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [“I choose because I can.. I have options in life and the ability to choose, but that choice determines my future, the next. However…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chantel-smith/i-choose-because-i-can-i-have-options-in-life-and-the-ability-to/) Chantel Smith > [When it all boils down, being Courtney has forced me to be different to the status quo, which means I have gotten to decide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-act/when-it-all-boils-down-being-courtney-has-forced-me-to-be-different/) [Courtney Act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-act/) > [“So many things I know about myself I've learned from others. Without someone else to listen, to judge, to tell me what to do,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-starr-rose/so-many-things-i-know-about-myself-i-ve-learned-from-others-without/) Caroline Starr Rose > [“Behind the enthusiasm, behind the inspiration, behind the passion, there must be the will. We can choose. We can decide. We can will to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-willey/behind-the-enthusiasm-behind-the-inspiration-behind-the-passion-there/) David Willey > [Commercial success is very important. That is what gives you the option to choose and decide what you would like to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohnish-bahl/commercial-success-is-very-important-that-is-what-gives-you-the/) [Mohnish Bahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohnish-bahl/) > [You are fully capable of deciding your own destiny. The question you face is: which path will you choose? This is something only you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-cross/you-are-fully-capable-of-deciding-your-own-destiny-the-question-you/) [Ben Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-cross/) > [You're the man. choose, decide and face it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miss-nabilah/you-re-the-man-choose-decide-and-face-it/) Miss Nabilah > [“In life, everyone must decide in what area of life he or she wants to be great. You must choose what territory you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/in-life-everyone-must-decide-in-what-area-of-life-he-or-she-wants-to/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [We cant choose our lives, but we can decide what to do with the joys or griefs were given.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/we-cant-choose-our-lives-but-we-can-decide-what-to-do-with-the-joys/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Whether you face reality head on and make a life change, or deny your responsibility, you've made a choice. The way I see it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-phillips/whether-you-face-reality-head-on-and-make-a-life-change-or-deny-your/) [Shawn Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-phillips/) > [There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under the jurisdiction. I can decide how I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/there-is-so-much-about-my-fate-that-i-cannot-control-but-other-things/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [“Perhaps I am not so wise as you would have me, for all my years in this world. I do not know what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-arden/perhaps-i-am-not-so-wise-as-you-would-have-me-for-all-my-years-in/) [Katherine Arden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-arden/) > [LOOK before you pick,DECIDE WELL before you choose,because these two things are very important in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oluwatayo-oluwatoyosi/look-before-you-pick-decide-well-before-you-choose-because-these-two/) [Oluwatayo Oluwatoyosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oluwatayo-oluwatoyosi/) ## More by Neil Peart > [I believe in taxation and health care that is outside the usual libertarian mandate, because I don't want people to have to suffer. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/i-believe-in-taxation-and-health-care-that-is-outside-the-usual/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Half the world cries Half the world laughs Half the world tries To be the other half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/half-the-world-cries-half-the-world-laughs-half-the-world-tries-to-be/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Different hearts beat on different strings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/different-hearts-beat-on-different-strings/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [It's interesting. I've known quite a few good athletes that can't begin to play a beat on the drum set. Most team sport is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/it-s-interesting-i-ve-known-quite-a-few-good-athletes-that-can-t/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [From the point of ignition. To the final drive. The point of the journey is not to arrive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/from-the-point-of-ignition-to-the-final-drive-the-point-of-the/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Innocence gave me confidence to go up against reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/innocence-gave-me-confidence-to-go-up-against-reality/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to play music that I liked, and even when I was in cover bands when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/ever-since-i-was-a-kid-i-always-wanted-to-play-music-that-i-liked-and/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [To me, drum soloing is like doing a marathon and solving equations at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/to-me-drum-soloing-is-like-doing-a-marathon-and-solving-equations-at/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Lotus-land as it appears in 'Free Will' is simply a metaphor for an idealized background, a 'land of milk and honey.' It is sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/lotus-land-as-it-appears-in-free-will-is-simply-a-metaphor-for-an/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [“-i was "far and away"-riding my motorcycle along an american back road, skiing through the snowy Quebec woods, or lying awake in a backwater…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/i-was-far-and-away-riding-my-motorcycle-along-an-american-back-road/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Each of us A cell of awareness Imperfect and incomplete Genetic blends With uncertain ends On a fortune hunt that's far too fleet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/each-of-us-a-cell-of-awareness-imperfect-and-incomplete-genetic/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [When I was young, my ambitions were very modest. I thought, "If only I could play at the battle of the bands at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/when-i-was-young-my-ambitions-were-very-modest-i-thought-if-only-i/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [If it's cross-country ski season, I'll be out doing that, or snowshoeing up in Quebec. In my California home, I go to the local…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/if-it-s-cross-country-ski-season-i-ll-be-out-doing-that-or/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [Extroverts never understand introverts, and it was like that in school days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/extroverts-never-understand-introverts-and-it-was-like-that-in-school/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) > [A spirit with a vision is a dream with a mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/a-spirit-with-a-vision-is-a-dream-with-a-mission/) [Neil Peart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) [Explore all 126 Neil Peart quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/) ## 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. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“Exactly. So, what can't you take? Decide which of the two options is harder, and do the other. That way, no matter how hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-angelini/exactly-so-what-can-t-you-take-decide-which-of-the-two-options-is/) [Josephine Angelini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-angelini/) > [“too—I realized that my only hope was to give up the life that had been, in order to make room for the life that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-lesser/too-i-realized-that-my-only-hope-was-to-give-up-the-life-that-had/) [Elizabeth Lesser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-lesser/) > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) 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/) > [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. Dockens > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Since I don't outline my books very much, I feel like sometimes I don't have a choice in what the characters do; they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-todd/since-i-don-t-outline-my-books-very-much-i-feel-like-sometimes-i-don/) [Anna Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-todd/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Words can only have an effect on you if you choose to listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernajoy-vaal/words-can-only-have-an-effect-on-you-if-you-choose-to-listen-to-them/) [Bernajoy Vaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernajoy-vaal/) [Browse all 8,092 Choice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neil Peart" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/if-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-have-made-a-choice/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Choice" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/if-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-have-made-a-choice/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/neil-peart-3563_choice_if-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-ha_2609200.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/neil-peart-3563_choice_if-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-ha_2609200.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/401/neil-peart-3563_choice_if-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-ha_2609200.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.” — Neil Peart", "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": "Neil Peart", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-peart/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you choose not to decide,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/if-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-have-made-a-choice/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-peart/if-you-choose-not-to-decide-you-still-have-made-a-choice/#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 } } ] } ```