Nothing in life is so hard that you can’t make it easier by the way you take it.
—Ellen Glasgow (1873–1945) American Novelist
Nobody ever did, or ever will, escape the consequences of his choices.
—Alfred A. Montapert (1906–97) American Engineer, Philosopher
The experiences of camp life show that a man does have a choice of action. There were enough examples, often of a heroic nature, which proved that apathy could be overcome, irritability suppressed. Man can preserve a vestige of spiritual freedom, of independence of mind, even in such terrible conditions of psychic and physical stress. We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken away from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s way. The way in which a man accepts his fate and all the suffering it entails, the way in which he takes up his cross, gives him ample opportunity—even in the most difficult circumstances—to add a deeper meaning to life.
—Viktor Frankl (1905–97) Austrian Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist
The perfect way is without difficulty, for it avoids picking and choosing. Only when you stop liking and disliking will all be clearly understood. Be not concerned with right or wrong, for the conflict between right and wrong is the sickness of the mind.
—Jianzhi Sengcan (d.606 CE) Chinese-Buddhist Monk
The Perfect Way is only difficult for those who pick and choose. Do not like, do not dislike; all will then be clear. Make a hairbreadth difference, and Heaven and Earth are set apart.
—Jianzhi Sengcan (d.606 CE) Chinese-Buddhist Monk
Choice means saying no to one thing so you can say yes to another.
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
A man can’t be too careful in the choice of his enemies.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness to choose life.
—Leo Buscaglia (1924–98) American Motivational Speaker
We stand now where two roads diverge. But unlike the roads in Robert Frost’s familiar poem, they are not equally fair. The road we have long been traveling is deceptively easy, a smooth superhighway on which we progress with great speed, but at its end lies disaster. The other fork of the road — the one less traveled by — offers our last, our only chance to reach a destination that assures the preservation of the earth.
—Rachel Carson (1907–64) American Naturalist, Science Writer
The more decisions that you are forced to make alone, the more you are aware of your freedom to choose.
—Thornton Wilder (1897–1975) American Novelist, Playwright
You don’t have to buy from anyone. You don’t have to work at any particular job. You don’t have to participate in any given relationship. You can choose.
—Harry Browne (1933–2006) American Politician, Investor, Writer
I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for the day.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
On this narrow planet, we have only the choice between two unknown worlds. One of them tempts us — ah! what a dream, to live in that! — the other stifles us at the first breath.
—Colette (1873–1954) French Novelist, Performer
I believe that every single event in life happens as an opportunity to choose love over fear.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
For what human ill does dawn not seem to be alternative?
—Thornton Wilder (1897–1975) American Novelist, Playwright
Choose your love, Love your choice.
—Thomas S. Monson (b.1927) American Mormon Religious Leader
Between two evils, choose neither; between two goods, choose both.
—Tryon Edwards American Theologian
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own.And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.
—Theodor Seuss Geisel (‘Dr. Seuss’) (1904–91) American Children’s Books Writer, Writer, Cartoonist, Animator
If you come to a fork in the road, take it.
—Yogi Berra (1925–2015) American Sportsperson
One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And, the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
As human beings, we are endowed with freedom of choice, and we cannot shuffle off our responsibility upon the shoulders of God or nature. We must shoulder it ourselves. It is up to us.
—Arnold J. Toynbee (1889–1975) British Historian
My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
You can do one of two things; just shut up, which is something I don’t find easy, or learn an awful lot very fast which is what I tried to do.
—Jane Fonda (b.1937) American Actress, Political Activist
We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody is going to know whether you did it or not.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
Thus we see that the all important thing is not killing or giving life, drinking or not drinking, living in the town or the country, being unlucky or lucky, winning or losing. It is how we win, how we lose, how we live or die, finally, how we choose.
—Reginald Horace Blyth (1898–1964) English Author
I have discovered that we may be in some degree whatever character we choose. Besides, practice forms a man to anything.
—James Boswell (1740–95) Scottish Biographer, Diarist
My own view of history is that human beings do have genuine freedom to make choices. Our destiny is not predetermined for us; we determine it for ourselves.
—Arnold J. Toynbee (1889–1975) British Historian