--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is there left to understand? Choice…" description: "\"“What is there left to understand? Choice is an illusion. Freedom is conceit. The hands that reach out to guide your every step, your every thought, co..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/steven-erikson-588_choice_what-is-there-left-to-understand-choice_2035500.jpg" --- # What is there left to understand? Choice is an illusion… ![“What is there left to understand? Choice is an illusion. Freedom is conceit. The hands that reach out to guide your every step, your every thought, come not from the gods, for they are no less deluded than we - no, my friends, those hands come to each of us... from each of us.” quote by Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/steven-erikson-588_choice_what-is-there-left-to-understand-choice_2035500.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/steven-erikson-588_choice_what-is-there-left-to-understand-choice_2035500.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/steven-erikson-588_choice_what-is-there-left-to-understand-choice_2035500.jpg) > ““What is there left to understand? Choice is an illusion. Freedom is conceit. The hands that reach out to guide your every step, your every thought, come not from the gods, for they are no less deluded than we - no, my friends, those hands come to each of us... from each of us.”” [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) ## 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 free will and external guidance are illusory, implying that each person creates their own destiny. **In simple terms:** Freedom and guidance are imagined; we shape our own paths. Key Takeaway Recognize personal responsibility for your life. Themes philosophy determinism self‑reliance Mood reflective thoughtful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal decision making - leadership - mental health - spiritual practice Key Concepts existentialism illusion agency Questions to Reflect On - How much of your life is truly self‑directed? - What role do societal structures play in shaping choices? A Different Perspective It may overlook genuine external constraints and social influences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) ## Related quotes > [To understand the Left, one must understand that in its view the greatest evil is material inequality. The Left is more troubled by economic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/to-understand-the-left-one-must-understand-that-in-its-view-the/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [“When we come to understand not only WHO we are, but who we always have been – and therefore, who we may become –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheri-l-dew/when-we-come-to-understand-not-only-who-we-are-but-who-we-always-have/) [Sheri L. Dew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheri-l-dew/) > [And I think that you do not understand that sometimes the only choice is between acceptance and madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/and-i-think-that-you-do-not-understand-that-sometimes-the-only-choice/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The only people's who dissagree are the ones who haven't been through enough in life ,to agree to your PAIN& SUFEERING Because they haven't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frenchqueen/the-only-people-s-who-dissagree-are-the-ones-who-haven-t-been-through/) Frenchqueen > [When a marriage ends, who is left to understand it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-carol-oates/when-a-marriage-ends-who-is-left-to-understand-it/) [Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-carol-oates/) > [There will be things that I do that no one will be left to understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-peguy/there-will-be-things-that-i-do-that-no-one-will-be-left-to-understand/) [Charles Peguy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-peguy/) > [Be intentional about your life and what you want to accomplish, but understand there's no choice you make that you can't change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-feldt/be-intentional-about-your-life-and-what-you-want-to-accomplish-but/) [Gloria Feldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-feldt/) > [I understand why you left me, but I do not understand why I am still waiting for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/i-understand-why-you-left-me-but-i-do-not-understand-why-i-am-still/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [“Free zero-point energy doesn't exist in an illusion of freedom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/free-zero-point-energy-doesn-t-exist-in-an-illusion-of-freedom/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [“You wish to be free, but there is no such thing as freedom. You can redecorate dungeon to give illusion of freedom, but you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-crane/you-wish-to-be-free-but-there-is-no-such-thing-as-freedom-you-can/) [Carolyn Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-crane/) > [“It is just an illusion of freedom. We are, perhaps, as free as a railway carriage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/venugopal-gupta/it-is-just-an-illusion-of-freedom-we-are-perhaps-as-free-as-a-railway/) Venugopal Gupta > [Sin creates the illusion of freedom. In the end it fools us into seeking freedom from God rather than finding freedom in God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-mcmanus/sin-creates-the-illusion-of-freedom-in-the-end-it-fools-us-into/) [Erwin McManus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-mcmanus/) > [“The reason we don't notice the fact that we have no say over the decisions that actually shape our society and economy is because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-guyton/the-reason-we-don-t-notice-the-fact-that-we-have-no-say-over-the/) [Morgan Guyton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-guyton/) > [If freedom is a requisite for human happiness, then all that’s necessary is to provide the illusion of freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-freedom-is-a-requisite-for-human-happiness-then-all-that-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The illusion of freedom is just another sort of prison-”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-mantchev/the-illusion-of-freedom-is-just-another-sort-of-prison/) [Lisa Mantchev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-mantchev/) ## More by Steven Erikson > [“No matter, they weren’t going anywhere. Never again. Two skeletons buried beneath a dead city. No more fitting a barrow for a warrior of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/no-matter-they-weren-t-going-anywhere-never-again-two-skeletons/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“I was reminded ... the way that wood crumbles into dissolution.’ ‘The release of energy. Perhaps a better way of seeing it.’ ‘Such release…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/i-was-reminded-the-way-that-wood-crumbles-into-dissolution-the/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“I am here to arrest your manservant. The one named Bugg.’ ‘Oh, now really, his cooking isn’t that bad.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/i-am-here-to-arrest-your-manservant-the-one-named-bugg-oh-now-really/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [The more civilized a nation, the more conformed its population, until that civilization's last age arrives, when multiplicity wages war with conformity. The former…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/the-more-civilized-a-nation-the-more-conformed-its-population-until/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“People in great need were quick to find blame in themselves, quick to assume the burden of guilt for things they in truth had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/people-in-great-need-were-quick-to-find-blame-in-themselves-quick-to/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“Envy shrugged. 'Can no value be found in good intentions?' 'What, precisely, are you trying to justify? And to me, or yourself?' She glared,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/envy-shrugged-can-no-value-be-found-in-good-intentions-what-precisely/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [Any reasonable ruler would have the expectation and the demand the other way round.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/any-reasonable-ruler-would-have-the-expectation-and-the-demand-the/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“The existance of many gods conveys true complexity of mortal life. Conversely, the assertion of but one god leads to a denial of complexity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/the-existance-of-many-gods-conveys-true-complexity-of-mortal-life/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“All right, shadow-priest, you've been spying — on what? What state secrets have you learned watching me groom these horses?' 'Only that they hate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/all-right-shadow-priest-you-ve-been-spying-on-what-what-state-secrets/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“There is nothing wrong with where we are, how we are. You spit on satisfaction, leaving you always unsettled and miserable. I am a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/there-is-nothing-wrong-with-where-we-are-how-we-are-you-spit-on/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“Why do I hate spiders? Gods, who doesn't? What a stupid question.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/why-do-i-hate-spiders-gods-who-doesn-t-what-a-stupid-question/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [It is an extraordinary act of courage,' said Tulas Shorn, 'to come to know a stranger's pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/it-is-an-extraordinary-act-of-courage-said-tulas-shorn-to-come-to/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“I admit,’ said Spite, ‘to a certain melancholy when visiting vibrant cities, as is this Darujhistan. A long life teaches one just how ephemeral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/i-admit-said-spite-to-a-certain-melancholy-when-visiting-vibrant/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [All art is an intensely vulnerable gesture, and it is made with no small amounts of risk, and fear. So, I have plenty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/all-art-is-an-intensely-vulnerable-gesture-and-it-is-made-with-no/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [“People who make up their minds about something never listen to advice - especially when it's to the contrary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/people-who-make-up-their-minds-about-something-never-listen-to-advice/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) [Explore all 452 Steven Erikson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) ## 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": "“What is there left to understand? 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