--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Where there is clarity, there is no…" description: "\"Where there is clarity, there is no choice. And where there is choice, there is misery. But then, why should I speak, since I know nothing?\" — Peter Tork" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6b/peter-tork-16370_choice_where-there-is-clarity-there-is-no-choic_585955.png" --- # Where there is clarity, there is no choice. And where… ![“Where there is clarity, there is no choice. And where there is choice, there is misery. But then, why should I speak, since I know nothing?” quote by Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6b/peter-tork-16370_choice_where-there-is-clarity-there-is-no-choic_585955.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6b/peter-tork-16370_choice_where-there-is-clarity-there-is-no-choic_585955.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a6b/peter-tork-16370_choice_where-there-is-clarity-there-is-no-choic_585955.png) > “Where there is clarity, there is no choice. And where there is choice, there is misery. But then, why should I speak, since I know nothing?” [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Clarity eliminates options, while choice brings suffering; ignorance leads to silence. **In simple terms:** Knowing too much limits freedom; ignorance silences. Key Takeaway Embrace uncertainty and speak despite not knowing everything. Themes choice clarity misery ignorance Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical existential When to use this quote - decision making - personal reflection - public speaking Key Concepts philosophy existentialism Questions to Reflect On - Do you fear freedom? - How does silence affect truth? A Different Perspective Too simplistic; ignores nuance of informed choice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Clarity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clarity/) [Misery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/misery/) ## Related quotes > [“happiness is a choice, but so is misery. Choose wisely.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aimee-carter/happiness-is-a-choice-but-so-is-misery-choose-wisely/) [Aimee Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aimee-carter/) > [“Those who speak, do not know; those who know, do not speak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-watts/those-who-speak-do-not-know-those-who-know-do-not-speak/) [Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-watts/) > [In order to speak about all and to all, one has to speak of what all know and of the reality common to us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/in-order-to-speak-about-all-and-to-all-one-has-to-speak-of-what-all/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [You cannot speak that which you do not know. You cannot share that which you do not feel. You cannot translate that which you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/you-cannot-speak-that-which-you-do-not-know-you-cannot-share-that/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [I willingly speak to those who know, but for those who do not know I forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/i-willingly-speak-to-those-who-know-but-for-those-who-do-not-know-i/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [Don't be afraid to say what you don't know, and speak for what you do know. Say, "I can't speak for all Latinas, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-cisneros/don-t-be-afraid-to-say-what-you-don-t-know-and-speak-for-what-you-do/) [Sandra Cisneros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-cisneros/) > [Have much more than you can show and speak less than you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-much-more-than-you-can-show-and-speak-less-than-you-know/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Hate more then you show, speak less then you know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/hate-more-then-you-show-speak-less-then-you-know/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Those who know do not speak; Those who speak do not know. Stop up the openings, Close down the doors, Rub off the sharp…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/those-who-know-do-not-speak-those-who-speak-do-not-know-stop-up-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The moment when you can't speak, because you know that when you do. YOU'LL CRY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-moment-when-you-can-t-speak-because-you-know-that-when-you-do-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Have more than you show and speak less than you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maj/have-more-than-you-show-and-speak-less-than-you-know/) Maj > [“You don’t have to speak at all— I know what you’d say… - Laura”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilkie-collins/you-don-t-have-to-speak-at-all-i-know-what-you-d-say-laura/) [Wilkie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilkie-collins/) > [Sometimes people fear the truth. They'd rather not speak to you than know what you really think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paloma-faith/sometimes-people-fear-the-truth-they-d-rather-not-speak-to-you-than/) [Paloma Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paloma-faith/) > [“For us, silence is all we have ever known. I do not speak because I do not know what to say. He does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alessandra-torre/for-us-silence-is-all-we-have-ever-known-i-do-not-speak-because-i-do/) [Alessandra Torre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alessandra-torre/) > [The wise speak only of what they know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-wise-speak-only-of-what-they-know/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Peter Tork > [The Monkees was a straight sitcom, we used the same plots that were on the other situation comedies at the time. So the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/the-monkees-was-a-straight-sitcom-we-used-the-same-plots-that-were-on/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [Elvis deserves a lot of credit for bringing the blues to middle America, not the Vegas stuff. The early stuff, The Sun records, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/elvis-deserves-a-lot-of-credit-for-bringing-the-blues-to-middle/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [There hasn't been one show that we did, that I didn't enjoy to some extent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/there-hasn-t-been-one-show-that-we-did-that-i-didn-t-enjoy-to-some/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [The groupies are far more real now than there were then.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/the-groupies-are-far-more-real-now-than-there-were-then/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [Ringo is one of the world's true humans. The only one out those four guys, who did not have an agenda. Ringo was just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/ringo-is-one-of-the-world-s-true-humans-the-only-one-out-those-four/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [I have never done Cult TV before, the convention was good. It gives the fans a chance to meet the celebrities. Connect with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/i-have-never-done-cult-tv-before-the-convention-was-good-it-gives-the/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [No, in 1968 I still wanted to be a Pop Star, and be about the music. Now, I want to be just about the music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/no-in-1968-i-still-wanted-to-be-a-pop-star-and-be-about-the-music-now/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [I did as well as I knew how and have nothing to be ashamed of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/i-did-as-well-as-i-knew-how-and-have-nothing-to-be-ashamed-of/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [I am more of an old black and white movies fan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/i-am-more-of-an-old-black-and-white-movies-fan/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [Original Monkees' songs were produced very thinly, on purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/original-monkees-songs-were-produced-very-thinly-on-purpose/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [Yes, I am a good singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/yes-i-am-a-good-singer/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [Only one of us would usually sing lead. Which most of the time was, Mickey or Dave. They thought it was perfectly a natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/only-one-of-us-would-usually-sing-lead-which-most-of-the-time-was/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [I like to listen the blues and some classical.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/i-like-to-listen-the-blues-and-some-classical/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [I get to play a scorching lead guitar, and there's not much that's more fun than that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/i-get-to-play-a-scorching-lead-guitar-and-there-s-not-much-that-s/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) > [Pop music is aspirin and the blues are vitamins.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tork/pop-music-is-aspirin-and-the-blues-are-vitamins/) [Peter Tork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) [Explore all 40 Peter Tork quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tork/) ## 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": "Where there is clarity, there is no choice. 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