Ursula K. Le Guin Quotes

I'd rather control someone than be controlled.

Without respect of my private will, you will give me that counsel you think best.

We must form men so that they can only will what we wish them to will.

I like to be controlled, but that doesn't mean controlled like a dog.

You can't push and force people to do what they don't want to do.

You can't make anybody do anything, if they don't want to.

And ordering me around is exactly the wrong way to make me do what you want.

Look. I brought you here to give you a choice-" "You didn't bring us here," said Nick. "You're here," said Bod. "I wanted you here. I came here. You followed me. Same thing.

For the power of Man to make himself what he pleases means... the power of some men to make other men what THEY please.

Unless someone truly has the power to say no, they never truly have the power to say yes.

I can't imagine people telling me what to do - I just can't imagine it.

I wouldn't play together with someone who likes to control everything like me.

Reason obeys itself; and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.

Not by the forces of civil war can you govern the very weakest woman. You can kill that woman, but she escapes you then; you cannot govern her. No power on earth can govern a human being, however feeble, who withholds his or her consent.

Surely there is a time to submit to guidance and a time to take one's own way at all hazards.

Now that I look back, I realize that a life predicated on being obedient and taking orders is a very comfortable life indeed. Living in such a way reduces to a minimum one's need to think.

You are controlling because I want you to do it, not because of the situation or what needs to be done.

I don't really want to control anyone, to be honest.

He that complies against his will is of his own opinion still.

You know, you can't make the people do what you want them to do.

Rules are made for people who aren't willing to make up their own.

Since I was 9, I'd been told what to say, what to think.

My husband may have been in the military, but no one tells me which leader to follow.

When someone forces me to do something I don't do it.

I want to live perfectly above the law, and make it my servant instead of my master.