--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We create our own omens, I think, and…" description: "\"“We create our own omens, I think, and then mystify ourselves trying to understand their significance.”\" — Steven Brust" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca3/steven-brust-7934_creativity_we-create-our-own-omens-i-think-and-then_1832994.png" --- # We create our own omens, I think, and then mystify… ![“We create our own omens, I think, and then mystify ourselves trying to understand their significance.” quote by Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca3/steven-brust-7934_creativity_we-create-our-own-omens-i-think-and-then_1832994.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca3/steven-brust-7934_creativity_we-create-our-own-omens-i-think-and-then_1832994.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca3/steven-brust-7934_creativity_we-create-our-own-omens-i-think-and-then_1832994.png) > ““We create our own omens, I think, and then mystify ourselves trying to understand their significance.”” [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We shape our futures and then overinterpret their meaning. **In simple terms:** We create our own signs and overthink them. Key Takeaway Question your assumptions about signs. Themes self‑creation interpretation uncertainty Mood reflective philosophical Type thought‑provoking inspirational When to use this quote - personal decisions - career choices - creative projects Key Concepts agency meaning‑making Questions to Reflect On - What “omens” are you creating? - Do you over‑interpret outcomes? A Different Perspective Overanalysis can paralyze action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Mystify](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mystify/) [Omens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/omens/) ## Related quotes > [“Have a look around, my pretty, we are surrounded by Death in all forms – just the two of us are still alive –”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simona-panova/have-a-look-around-my-pretty-we-are-surrounded-by-death-in-all-forms/) [Simona Panova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simona-panova/) > [“The unknown grayish mystifying forest was benumbed into frost-covered cold, and the tremendous pines towering above the dark marshy soil resembled a gathering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simona-panova/the-unknown-grayish-mystifying-forest-was-benumbed-into-frost-covered/) [Simona Panova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simona-panova/) > [Im my profession you have to mystify the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-law-montgomery/im-my-profession-you-have-to-mystify-the-enemy/) [Bernard Law Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-law-montgomery/) > [Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy, if possible; and when you strike and overcome him, never let up in the pursuit...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/always-mystify-mislead-and-surprise-the-enemy-if-possible-and-when-2/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [My object is to mystify and entertain. I wouldn't deceive you for the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-thurston/my-object-is-to-mystify-and-entertain-i-wouldn-t-deceive-you-for-the/) [Howard Thurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-thurston/) > [Always mystify, torture, mislead, and surprise the audience as much as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-roff/always-mystify-torture-mislead-and-surprise-the-audience-as-much-as/) [Don Roff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-roff/) > [“mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/mystify-mislead-and-surprise-the-enemy/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [When people write about secret societies, there is a desire to demystify them. I wanted to hyper-mystify them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/when-people-write-about-secret-societies-there-is-a-desire-to/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [To mystify, in the active sense, is to befuddle, cloud, obscure, mask whatever is going on, whether this be experience, action, or process, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-d-laing/to-mystify-in-the-active-sense-is-to-befuddle-cloud-obscure-mask/) [R. D. Laing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-d-laing/) > [When you feel in your gut what you are and then dynamically pursue it - don't back down and don't give up - then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/when-you-feel-in-your-gut-what-you-are-and-then-dynamically-pursue-it/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [The average man is not hard to mystify.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-thurston/the-average-man-is-not-hard-to-mystify/) [Howard Thurston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-thurston/) > [Michael Hutchence is an incredible frontman and a huge influence on me. I really love 'Mystify' and 'New Sensation.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-hemmings/michael-hutchence-is-an-incredible-frontman-and-a-huge-influence-on/) [Luke Hemmings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-hemmings/) > [Always mystify, mislead and surprise the enemy if possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/always-mystify-mislead-and-surprise-the-enemy-if-possible/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Omens are the individual language in which God talks to you. My omens are not your omens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/omens-are-the-individual-language-in-which-god-talks-to-you-my-omens/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Omens are everywhere in this world you just have to find the one that fits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/omens-are-everywhere-in-this-world-you-just-have-to-find-the-one-that/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) ## More by Steven Brust > [“Those are good questions. I recognize good questions, because I can come up with them myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/those-are-good-questions-i-recognize-good-questions-because-i-can/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [“Painting consists of long periods of minutes followed by short bursts of hours”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/painting-consists-of-long-periods-of-minutes-followed-by-short-bursts/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [“I will do you one last favour, in the name and memory of the figment you have replaced. I will clarify a misapprehension of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/i-will-do-you-one-last-favour-in-the-name-and-memory-of-the-figment/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [“We passed a street minstrel who was singing in one of the more obscure Eastern languages, and I dropped a few orbs into his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/we-passed-a-street-minstrel-who-was-singing-in-one-of-the-more/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [“...As we locked the front door behind us, she said, "How do you keep getting in without my knowing it? Did Jill give you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/as-we-locked-the-front-door-behind-us-she-said-how-do-you-keep/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [“It isn't always easy to act on what's in your head instead of what's in your heart. And it isn't always right to. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/it-isn-t-always-easy-to-act-on-what-s-in-your-head-instead-of-what-s/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [I’ve heard it said: ‘By his home you shall know him’; and we all know that we must pay attention to anyone who reverses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/i-ve-heard-it-said-by-his-home-you-shall-know-him-and-we-all-know/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [“Grand," I said. "Just grand. I get myself into the army, stand up in battles I have no business in, get nailed in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/grand-i-said-just-grand-i-get-myself-into-the-army-stand-up-in/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [Plan. Yes. Good idea. I should come up with a plan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/plan-yes-good-idea-i-should-come-up-with-a-plan/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [“Does it really matter what you feel when you do something? Does it somehow make a difference if you're sorry when you go blasting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/does-it-really-matter-what-you-feel-when-you-do-something-does-it/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [I'd rather be running the game than playing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/i-d-rather-be-running-the-game-than-playing-it/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [All literature consists of whatever the writer thinks is cool. The reader will like the book to the degree that he agrees with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/all-literature-consists-of-whatever-the-writer-thinks-is-cool-the/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [There was a sergeant at a desk. I knew he was a sergeant because I recognized the marks on his uniform, and I knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/there-was-a-sergeant-at-a-desk-i-knew-he-was-a-sergeant-because-i/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [True heroics must be carefully planned - and strenuously avoided.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/true-heroics-must-be-carefully-planned-and-strenuously-avoided/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [“Well," she said, "if I were the enemy commander, and our assault had failed three times, and I wanted to make a fourth, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/well-she-said-if-i-were-the-enemy-commander-and-our-assault-had/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) [Explore all 86 Steven Brust quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) ## More Creativity quotes > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“The Soviet “creative intelligentsia” - that is, people accustomed to thinking one thing, saying another and doing a third - is as a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-amalrik/the-soviet-creative-intelligentsia-that-is-people-accustomed-to/) Andrei Amalrik > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/a-rock-pile-ceases-to-be-a-rock-pile-the-moment-a-single-man/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [You don't get lucky. You create lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/you-don-t-get-lucky-you-create-lucky/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“You are the end of beauty and creativity one must have created so far.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/you-are-the-end-of-beauty-and-creativity-one-must-have-created-so-far/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [Jonah Lehrer is one of the most talented explainers of science that we’ve got. What a pleasure it is to follow his investigation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-foer/jonah-lehrer-is-one-of-the-most-talented-explainers-of-science-that/) [Joshua Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-foer/) > [If you've got creativity, imagination, and intelligence, and you want to be hypnotised, then there's no reason you shouldn't be able to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-barry/if-you-ve-got-creativity-imagination-and-intelligence-and-you-want-to/) [Keith Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-barry/) > [“I believe in magic. As a writer, I create them on blank paper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonnia-kemmer/i-believe-in-magic-as-a-writer-i-create-them-on-blank-paper/) [Sonnia Kemmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonnia-kemmer/) > [Creativity is like chasing chickens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-niemann/creativity-is-like-chasing-chickens/) Christoph Niemann > [It is proposed that a form of free dialogue may well be one of the most effective ways of investigating the crisis which faces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bohm/it-is-proposed-that-a-form-of-free-dialogue-may-well-be-one-of-the/) [David Bohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bohm/) > [You always hear actors say, 'Theater is my first love,' and it is. It's a time when you really get to do what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-landecker/you-always-hear-actors-say-theater-is-my-first-love-and-it-is-it-s-a/) [Amy Landecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-landecker/) > [Create an environment for people to fail, to learn, and to grow. Their creativity and productivity will increase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/create-an-environment-for-people-to-fail-to-learn-and-to-grow-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 13,625 Creativity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We create our own omens, I think, and then mystify ourselves trying to understand their significance.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steven Brust" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/we-create-our-own-omens-i-think-and-then-mystify-ourselves-trying-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Creativity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/we-create-our-own-omens-i-think-and-then-mystify-ourselves-trying-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca3/steven-brust-7934_creativity_we-create-our-own-omens-i-think-and-then_1832994.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca3/steven-brust-7934_creativity_we-create-our-own-omens-i-think-and-then_1832994.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca3/steven-brust-7934_creativity_we-create-our-own-omens-i-think-and-then_1832994.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We create our own omens, I think, and then mystify ourselves trying to understand their significance.” — Steven Brust", "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": "Steven Brust", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We create our own omens, I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/we-create-our-own-omens-i-think-and-then-mystify-ourselves-trying-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/we-create-our-own-omens-i-think-and-then-mystify-ourselves-trying-to/#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 } } ] } ```