In "The Last Unicorn: The Lost Version" by Peter S. Beagle, the quote suggests that those with options may not feel compelled to make choices, while those without choices must take action. It highlights a profound sense of urgency faced by individuals in desperate circumstances. This contrast emphasizes the burden of choice and the weight it carries for those who lack freedom in decision-making.

The latter part of the quote reflects on the nature of love and loss, implying that our affection is often tied to what we cannot have or what we have lost. It conveys a poignant acceptance of grief, illustrating that certain things are irrevocably gone, and once they are, we must learn to move on. It encapsulates the themes of longing and the bittersweet realities of existence that resonate throughout the narrative.