--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nobody asks you to do this. The world out…" description: "\"Nobody asks you to do this. The world out there is not panting after another novelist. We choose it.\" — Paul Auster" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b2/paul-auster-351_asks_nobody-asks-you-to-do-this-the-world-out_2374738.jpg" --- # Nobody asks you to do this. The world out there is not… ![“Nobody asks you to do this. The world out there is not panting after another novelist. We choose it.” quote by Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b2/paul-auster-351_asks_nobody-asks-you-to-do-this-the-world-out_2374738.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b2/paul-auster-351_asks_nobody-asks-you-to-do-this-the-world-out_2374738.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b2/paul-auster-351_asks_nobody-asks-you-to-do-this-the-world-out_2374738.jpg) > “Nobody asks you to do this. The world out there is not panting after another novelist. We choose it.” [Paul Auster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-auster/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that expectations are imposed by others; we must choose our own path rather than chase external validation. **In simple terms:** We must choose our own path, not chase others' expectations. Key Takeaway Take ownership of your direction. Themes self‑determination expectations choice Mood reflective determined Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career decisions - creative projects - personal relationships - goal setting Key Concepts autonomy personal agency Questions to Reflect On - What expectations are you following? - How can you define success for yourself? A Different Perspective It may ignore social pressures that can be constructive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Novelist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novelist/) [Novelists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novelists/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“if only people stopped acting like they've been asked to donate a lung every time somebody asks for something the world would be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alina-radoi/if-only-people-stopped-acting-like-they-ve-been-asked-to-donate-a/) [Alina Radoi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alina-radoi/) > [A great novelist must open the reader's heart, allow the reader to remember the vastness and glory -- and shame and shabbiness -- of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-see/a-great-novelist-must-open-the-reader-s-heart-allow-the-reader-to/) [Carolyn See](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-see/) > [“Ruth Cole was a novelist; novelists are not at their best when they go off half-cocked. 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Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-s-gilbert/) > [Playing with different genres and perspectives and ways of telling stories is one of the perks of being a novelist, but at the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linn-ullmann/playing-with-different-genres-and-perspectives-and-ways-of-telling/) Linn Ullmann > [I am not an academic who happens to have written a novel. I am a novelist who happens to be quite good academically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-s-byatt-2/i-am-not-an-academic-who-happens-to-have-written-a-novel-i-am-a/) [A. S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-byatt-2/) > [I'm a novelist. 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And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/) [Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. 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