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About this quote

What does it mean?
He is defined by his role as a soldier and never considered what he might want to be otherwise.
In plain terms
He never thought about other career paths because he was always a soldier.
What can you take from it?
Being shaped by duty can erase personal dreams.

Where it applies

  • military life
  • structured careers
  • early specialization

Putting it to work

  • evaluating career paths
  • rediscovering interests
  • planning beyond duty

Questions to consider

  • What do you want to be when you grow up?
  • Does your job define your whole self?

Another view

Soldiers might lack the freedom to imagine alternatives.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. There were many, too, who hated him. Hated him for being young, for being excellent, for having made their victories look paltry and weak.

    Permalink to quote #56
  2. He isn't a killer. He just wins - thoroughly.

    Permalink to quote #58
  3. Ender mentally added him to his private list of people who also qualified as human beings.

    Permalink to quote #55

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