"Choice of attention - to pay attention to this and ignore that - is to the inner life what choice of action is to the outer. In both cases, a man is responsible for his choice and must accept the consequences, whatever they may be"

This quote by W. H. Auden speaks to the idea that our options, both in regards to our attention and our actions, have effects. Auden recommends that the options we make in terms of our attention, such as what we select to concentrate on and what we choose to neglect, are simply as crucial as the options we make in regards to our actions. He emphasizes that we are responsible for our options and need to accept the effects, whatever they may be. This quote encourages us to be conscious of our choices and to take obligation for them. It also serves as a suggestion that our choices have repercussions, which we should be prepared to accept them. Ultimately, this quote motivates us to be mindful of our choices and to take obligation for them.