Future Quote by Philip Pullman
““We can control the future, my boy, just as we wind up the mechanism in a clock. Say to yourself: I will win that race--I will come first--and you wind up the future like clockwork. The world has no choice but to obey! Can the hands of that old clock in the corner decide to stop? Can the spring in your watch decide to wind itself up and run backward? No! They have no choice. And nor has the future, once you have wound it up.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman, 1997
Belief in personal agency can shape outcomes as if one were winding a clock, implying determinism through will.
In simple terms: Your will can drive destiny like winding a clock.
Key Takeaway
Harness focused intention to influence outcomes.
Themes
willpower
determinism
agency
motivation
Mood
determined
assertive
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- goal setting
- personal development
- leadership
- sports competition
- creative projects
Key Concepts
self‑efficacy
psychology
metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal effort with acknowledging uncertainty?
- What limits exist on your ability to 'wind up” the future?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on control may ignore external factors and randomness.
