The Hero with a Thousand Faces Fate and Free Will Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Page.Paragraph)

Quote #7

The hero may have to be brought back from his supernatural adventure by assistance from without. That is to say, the world may have to come and get him. (192.1)

Fate can always lend a hand from time to time if the hero needs it. Just so long as the hero is moving in the direction that fate desires.

Quote #8

Perhaps the most eloquent possible symbol of this mystery is that of the god crucified, the god offered, "himself to himself.'" (241.2)

The notion of choosing to make a sacrifice like that only illustrates the book's central point: we're all connected to the universe and our choices either show us that connection or drive us further away from it.

Quote #9

The cosmogonic cycle is now to be carried forward, therefore, not by the gods, who have become invisible, but by the heroes, more or less human in character, through whom the world destiny is realized. (291.2)

That's a pretty profound thing. Heroes become the agents of destiny, though they are still human, which means they mess up sometimes and have to get back on track. But without them, destiny really serves no purpose. It needs us and our free will to fulfill its purpose.