--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The evil god wants to force humanity into…" description: "\"“The evil god wants to force humanity into the path he’s chosen. But if I was certain of the best path—” and here he smiled, “—I wouldn’t force anyon..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/459/walter-jon-williams-11442_evil_the-evil-god-wants-to-force-humanity-int_2651526.jpg" --- # The evil god wants to force humanity into the path he’s… ![“The evil god wants to force humanity into the path he’s chosen. But if I was certain of the best path—” and here he smiled, “—I wouldn’t force anyone. That would be a waste of energy. I’d merely try to make the thing inevitable.” quote by Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/459/walter-jon-williams-11442_evil_the-evil-god-wants-to-force-humanity-int_2651526.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/459/walter-jon-williams-11442_evil_the-evil-god-wants-to-force-humanity-int_2651526.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/459/walter-jon-williams-11442_evil_the-evil-god-wants-to-force-humanity-int_2651526.jpg) > ““The evil god wants to force humanity into the path he’s chosen.  But if I was certain of the best path—” and here he smiled,  “—I wouldn’t force anyone.  That would be a waste of energy.  I’d merely try to make the thing inevitable.”” [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Forceful control removes agency; better to guide events subtly toward inevitability. **In simple terms:** Don’t force outcomes, influence them gently. Key Takeaway Guide rather than dominate. Themes ethics free will guidance Mood thoughtful cautious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - politics - storytelling - personal decisions - social change Key Concepts philosophy determinism leadership Questions to Reflect On - When is it ethical to steer outcomes? - How to balance guidance with autonomy? A Different Perspective Subtle influence can be manipulative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) ## Related quotes > [With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-weinberg/with-or-without-religion-you-would-have-good-people-doing-good-things/) [Steven Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-weinberg/) > [“If I could forgive, it meant I was a strong, good person who could take responsibility for the path I had chosen for myself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piper-kerman/if-i-could-forgive-it-meant-i-was-a-strong-good-person-who-could-take/) [Piper Kerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piper-kerman/) > [“If there is any certainty in life it is in the tendency of the unexpected to reroute us along a path we never would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimber-bowers/if-there-is-any-certainty-in-life-it-is-in-the-tendency-of-the/) Kimber Bowers > [“We could choose to be a nation that extends care, compassion, and concern to those who are locked up and locked out or headed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-alexander/we-could-choose-to-be-a-nation-that-extends-care-compassion-and/) [Michelle Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-alexander/) > [“The future lays a path for me. Which one my chosen destiny?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheri-kay-clifton/the-future-lays-a-path-for-me-which-one-my-chosen-destiny/) Cheri Kay Clifton > [The path we have chosen for the present is full of hazards, as all paths are. The cost of freedom is always high, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-path-we-have-chosen-for-the-present-is-full-of-hazards-as-all/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [I guess destiny isn't the path chosen for us, but the path we chose for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-ferrell/i-guess-destiny-isn-t-the-path-chosen-for-us-but-the-path-we-chose/) [Will Ferrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-ferrell/) > [“The path for you is chosen by you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-edward-simone/the-path-for-you-is-chosen-by-you/) [Val Edward Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-edward-simone/) > [Many are stubborn in the pursuit of the path that they have chosen, very few in pursuit of the goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsepiso-makhubedu/many-are-stubborn-in-the-pursuit-of-the-path-that-they-have-chosen/) [Tsepiso Makhubedu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsepiso-makhubedu/) > [Many are stubborn in pursuit of the path they have chosen, few in pursuit of the goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/many-are-stubborn-in-pursuit-of-the-path-they-have-chosen-few-in/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Untill you reach the end of the road,there is still time to change the path you have chosen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/untill-you-reach-the-end-of-the-road-there-is-still-time-to-change/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“They could have fought against it, begged for another way or gone off the path in hopes of finding an easier passage. Instead, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sage-steadman/they-could-have-fought-against-it-begged-for-another-way-or-gone-off/) [Sage Steadman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sage-steadman/) > [Love is a pathway of many colors and dead ends. But when the right path is chosen, the sights are amazing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tash/love-is-a-pathway-of-many-colors-and-dead-ends-but-when-the-right/) Tash > [We live in a world where people don't all have the same scruples, where all blows can be given, and where, in order to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-sarkozy/we-live-in-a-world-where-people-don-t-all-have-the-same-scruples/) [Nicolas Sarkozy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-sarkozy/) > [The path we have chosen is constitutional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ashcroft/the-path-we-have-chosen-is-constitutional/) [John Ashcroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ashcroft/) ## More by Walter Jon Williams > [“I don’t believe the rogue has freedom.  I think it is following the direction of humans.” “Why do you think so?” “Because I find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/i-don-t-believe-the-rogue-has-freedom-i-think-it-is-following-the/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [Everything that you read is an influence on everything you write, and you want to draw as many elements into your work as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/everything-that-you-read-is-an-influence-on-everything-you-write-and/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [That's why editors and publishers will never be obsolete: a reader wants someone with taste and authority to point them in the direction of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/that-s-why-editors-and-publishers-will-never-be-obsolete-a-reader/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [I've experienced writer's block, but never for more than a few days.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/i-ve-experienced-writer-s-block-but-never-for-more-than-a-few-days/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [“Gabriel flashed him the one-fingered Mudra of Contempt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/gabriel-flashed-him-the-one-fingered-mudra-of-contempt/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [“When you revealed that the Rani was in fact the Nagi," Charlie said, "the players collectively pissed their pants." "I'd rather they creamed their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/when-you-revealed-that-the-rani-was-in-fact-the-nagi-charlie-said-the/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [The Internet offers an interesting combination of advertising and community - by participating in the community you can become an advertisement for yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/the-internet-offers-an-interesting-combination-of-advertising-and/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [I'm not afraid of werewolves or vampires or haunted hotels, I'm afraid of what real human beings to do other real human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/i-m-not-afraid-of-werewolves-or-vampires-or-haunted-hotels-i-m-afraid/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [The mass-market paperback, for one, is too expensive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/the-mass-market-paperback-for-one-is-too-expensive/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [Try to meet as many authors, agents, and editors as you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/try-to-meet-as-many-authors-agents-and-editors-as-you-can/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [I want a platform that, like a book or a magazine, I can carry into the bath or leave at the beach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/i-want-a-platform-that-like-a-book-or-a-magazine-i-can-carry-into-the/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [“I can't help but wonder how the old Empire would have handled the crisis. I hope you will forgive my partisan attitude but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/i-can-t-help-but-wonder-how-the-old-empire-would-have-handled-the/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [I wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/i-wanted-to-be-an-author-for-as-long-as-i-can-remember/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [Working within the limitations of the shared world generally made the writing easier, because I didn't have to invent any of the characters or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/working-within-the-limitations-of-the-shared-world-generally-made-the/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) > [Being a writer was never a choice, it was an irresistible compulsion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/being-a-writer-was-never-a-choice-it-was-an-irresistible-compulsion/) [Walter Jon Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) [Explore all 60 Walter Jon Williams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-jon-williams/) ## More Evil quotes > [I've always been fascinated by the idea that there's no such thing as evil; it's all in your point of view. To one group…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-roth/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-the-idea-that-there-s-no-such-thing-as/) [Eli Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-roth/) > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [The Republicans do not look on the Democrats as the evil empire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-safire/the-republicans-do-not-look-on-the-democrats-as-the-evil-empire/) [William Safire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-safire/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [What is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-is-done-out-of-love-always-takes-place-beyond-good-and-evil/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to \[be\] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be-evil-has-to-be-confronted-and/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [The evil which does me no harm is like the good which in no wise avails me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-evil-which-does-me-no-harm-is-like-the-good-which-in-no-wise/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Somewhere somebody must have some sense. Men must see that force begets force, hate begets hate, toughness begets toughness. And it is all a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/somewhere-somebody-must-have-some-sense-men-must-see-that-force/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) James Nayler > [The politician attempts to remedy the evil by increasing the very thing that caused the evil in the first place: legal plunder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/the-politician-attempts-to-remedy-the-evil-by-increasing-the-very/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“Water is so friendly when you have it on your palms, but so evil when they have you on theirs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/water-is-so-friendly-when-you-have-it-on-your-palms-but-so-evil-when/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) > [THE ART OF PEACE is not easy. It is a fight to the finish, the slaying of evil desires and all falsehood within. On…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/the-art-of-peace-is-not-easy-it-is-a-fight-to-the-finish-the-slaying/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) [Browse all 11,163 Evil quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The evil god wants to force humanity into the path he’s chosen.  But if I was certain of the best path—” and here he smiled,  “—I wouldn’t force anyone.  That would be a waste of energy.  I’d merely try to make the thing inevitable.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Walter Jon Williams" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/the-evil-god-wants-to-force-humanity-into-the-path-he-s-chosen-but-if/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Evil" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-jon-williams/the-evil-god-wants-to-force-humanity-into-the-path-he-s-chosen-but-if/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/459/walter-jon-williams-11442_evil_the-evil-god-wants-to-force-humanity-int_2651526.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/459/walter-jon-williams-11442_evil_the-evil-god-wants-to-force-humanity-int_2651526.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/459/walter-jon-williams-11442_evil_the-evil-god-wants-to-force-humanity-int_2651526.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The evil god wants to force humanity into the path he’s chosen. 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