Steven Erikson Quotes

I've always been obsessed about how people choose - or are destined - for the paths they take.

There is a certain logic to events that pushes you along a certain path. You go along the path that feels the most true, and most according to the principles that are guiding you, and that's the way the decisions are made.

A degree of silence envelops [George] Washington’s actions; he moved slowly; one might say that he felt charged with future liberty, and that he feared to compromise it. It was not his own destiny that inspired this new species of hero: it was that of his country; he did not allow himself to enjoy what did not belong to him; but from that profound humility what glory emerged! Search the woods where Washington’s sword gleamed: what do you find? Tombs? No; a world! Washington has left the United States behind for a monument on the field of battle.

I believe there's fate, and then you have personal choice. I believe we have the ability to change our fate.

All of us start from zero. We take the right decision and become a hero.

...where's the skill in being a hero if you were always destined to do it?

When you say, "Wait a moment," you are bound by your karma; when you say "Yes I will," you are free.

It is not necessary to accept the choices handed down to you by life as you know it.

The choices we make within the boundaries of the twists of fate determines who we are

This is my philosophy: I prefer to stay out of the public eye. I love freedom.

You don't have to do those things. You don't have to become a hero, Seth.

Life is a tapestry woven by the decisions we make.

If you are wise, live as you can; if you cannot, live as you would.

Every Thanksgiving, Barack sits down to call some of our troops and thank them for their service. When he tells me about these conversations, it always reminds me of how blessed we are to live in a country where men and women will stand up to protect our freedoms and preserve our way of life. And whenever I've had the chance to meet with these heroes and their families, I've always walked away inspired by their courage and in awe of their strength.

It is all here. You make the choice.

Our fate is matched by the total freedom we have to react to our fate. It is as if we were dealt a hand of card. Once we have them, we are free to play them as we choose.

Liberty is an old fact; it has had its heroes and its martyrs in almost every age. As I look back through the vista of centuries, I can see no end of the ranks of those who have toiled and suffered in its cause, and who wear upon their breasts its stars of the legion of honor.

From the time of the Revolutionary War, when citizens stood forward to defend their liberties against the depredations of tyranny. All the way through Civil War, through the great World Wars, this nation has been defended by the tradition of common ordinary folks who come from behind the plow, come from the store-clerking, come from the classrooms, and so forth to get on the battlefields - ordinary citizens turned into heroes in defense of their liberty, because that's the potential of freedom.

Your destiny is shaped by choice, never by chance. Beware the decisions you make, no matter how small, for they will be your salvation...or your death.

If everyting's the same, then there aren't any choices! I want to wake up in the morning and decide things!" (Jonas) "It's the choosing that's imortant, isn't it?" The Giver asked him.

There is only one decision you need to make: You are either working at your Freedom or you are accepting your bondage.

Absolute freedom does not exist; what does exist is the freedom to choose anything you like and then commit yourself to that decision.

You'll do what you think you want to do, or what you think you ought to do. If you're very lucky, luckier than anybody I know, the two will coincide.

Only in death will we have our own names since only in death are we no longer part of the effort. In death we become heroes.