“We are all subject to the fates. But we must all act as if we are not,” said the witch, “or die of despair.” — Philip Pullman

"But suppose your dæmon settles in a shape you don't like?"

"Well, then, you're discontented, en't you? There's plenty of fold as'd like to have a lion as a dæmon and they end up with a poodle. And till they learn to be satisfied with what they are, they're going to be fretful about it. Waste of feeling, that is."

In Lyra’s heart, revulsion struggled with compassion, and compassion won.

You cannot change what you are, only what you do.