Man may be defined as the animal that can say “I,” that can be aware of himself as a separate entity.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
Our concern must be to live while we’re alive… to release our inner selves from the spiritual death that comes with living behind a facade designed to conform to external definitions of who and what we are.
—Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (1926-2004) American Psychiatrist
If the fairest features of the landscape are to be named after men, let them be the noblest and worthiest men alone.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
One secures the gold of the spirit when he finds himself.
—Claude M. Bristol (1891–1951) American Journalist, Self-Help Author
It is, I fear, but a vain show of fulfilling the heathen precept, “Know thyself,” and too often leads to a self-estimate which will subsist in the absence of that fruit by which alone the quality of the tree is made evident.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
One of the most wonderful things in nature is a glance of the eye; it transcends speech; it is the bodily symbol of identity.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Though I am grateful for the blessings of wealth, it hasn’t changed who I am. My feet are still on the ground. I’m just wearing better shoes.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
I’m black; I don’t feel burdened by it and I don’t think it is a huge responsibility. It’s part of who I am. It does not define me.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
As you become more clear about who you really are, you will be better able to decide what is best for you, the first time round.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
Our lives teach us who we are.
—Salman Rushdie (b.1947) Indian-born British Novelist
In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.
—Coco Chanel (1883–1971) French Fashion Designer
Without self knowledge, without understanding the working and functions of his machine, man cannot be free, he cannot govern himself and he will always remain a slave.
—Georges Gurdjieff (1877–1949) Armenian Spiritual Leader, Occultist
Titles are but nicknames, and every nickname is a title.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Radical, Inventor
Once you label me you negate me.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
Partake of some of life’s sweet pleasures. And yes, get comfortable with yourself.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
Our self-image strongly held essentially determines what we become.
—Maxwell Maltz (1899–1975) American Surgeon, Motivational Writer
The mind can weave itself warmly in the cocoon of its own thoughts, and dwell a hermit anywhere.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Miss: A title with which we brand unmarried women to indicate that they are in the market. Miss, Misses (Mrs.) and Mister (Mr.) are the three most distinctly disagreeable words in the language, in sound and sense. Two are corruptions of Mistress, the other of Master. If we must have them, let us be consistent and give one to the unmarried man. I venture to suggest Mush, abbreviated to MH.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Once a person says, “This is who I really am, what I am all about, what I was really meant to do,” it is easier to decide how to spend one’s time.
—David Viscott (1938–96) American Psychiatrist, Author, Businessperson
I know myself, but that is all.
—Unknown
You can live a lifetime and, at the end of it, know more about other people than you know about yourself.
—Beryl Markham (1902–86) British-born Kenyan Aviator, Adventurer, Sportsperson
Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can present every moment with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation; but of the adopted talent of another you have only an extemporaneous half possession… Do that which is assigned to you, and you cannot hope too much or dare too much.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
What we’re all striving for is authenticity, a spirit-to-spirit connection.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
A humble knowledge of oneself is a surer road to God than a deep searching of the sciences.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
Know thyself? If I knew myself I would run away.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
One of the best things to do sometimes is simply to be.
—Eric Butterworth (1916–2003) American Spirituality Writer
I love people. I love my family, my children… but inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that’s where you renew your springs that never dry up.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
There’s a period of life when we swallow a knowledge of ourselves and it becomes either good or sour inside.
—Pearl Bailey (1918–1990) American Jazz Singer, Actress, Writer
It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels or by demons, heaven or hell.
—Buddhist Teaching
Seriousness is stupidity sent to college.
—P. J. O’Rourke (1947–2022) American Journalist, Political Satirist