We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents. We do not choose our historical epoch, or the country of our birth, or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing. We do not, most of us, choose to die nor do we choose the time or conditions of our death. But within all this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we shall live courageously or in cowardice, honorably or dishonorably, with purpose or adrift. We decide what is important and what is trivial in life. We decide that what makes us significant is either what we do or what we refuse to do. But no matter how indifferent the universe may be to our choices and decisions, these choices and decisions are ours to make. We decide. We choose. And as we decide and choose, so are our lives formed. In the end, forming our own destiny is what ambition is about.
More Quotes from Joseph Epstein:
I am married to someone I love.Joseph Epstein
We do not choose to be born...We do not--most of us, choose to die, or the times or conditions of our death. But within all this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we shall live--Courageously or in cowardice, Honorably or dishonorably, With purpose or adrift. We decide what is important and what is trivial. What makes us significant is what we DO, Or REFUSE TO DO. WE DECIDE and WE CHOOSE--and so we give definition to our lives.
Joseph Epstein
Of the seven deadly sins, only envy is no fun at all.
Joseph Epstein
The decisive moment in the defeat of upper class, capital-S, Society may have come when, in newspapers all over the nation, what used to be call the Society page was replaced by the Style section.
Joseph Epstein
Culture means, I think, that you have widened your experience enough through reading and through being a little bit thoughtful about these things that it has changed your outlook in some ways. And not necessarily made you a better human being but made you see things.
Joseph Epstein
I know how deeply slothful I am.
Joseph Epstein
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Based on Topics: Ambition Quotes, Birth Quotes, Countries Quotes, Cowardice Quotes, Death & Dying Quotes, Decision Making Quotes, Fate & Destiny Quotes, Life Quotes, Parents Quotes, Time QuotesBased on Keywords: adrift, choicelessness, courageously, dishonorably, honorably
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