Logo - Feel The Words

Being Quotes

On identity, openness and staying true to yourself.

This set of quotes explores what it means to simply be: holding onto a child's spontaneity, embracing honesty that feels inappropriate in creative work, or aging with flexibility instead of resistance. For more on self-belief, see our Able quotes.

Courage consists not in hazarding without fear; but being resolutely minded in a just cause.

Quotes by Plutarch

Now all oscillatory movements of such an electron can be conceived of as being split up into force, and two circular oscillations perpendicular to this direction rotating in opposite directions.

Quotes by Pieter Zeeman

I was so flattered to be asked to be in the movies - the idea of being paid to act was heady stuff.

Quotes by Piper Laurie

American people simply will not countenance being lied to by their own President.

Quotes by Pierre Salinger

Usually a fiber, after being dipped in a liquid, shows a string of droplets, and thus, for some time, people thought that most common fibers were non-wettable.

Quotes by Pierre-Gilles de Gennes

Art is the path to being spiritual.

Quotes by Piet Mondrian

As a philanthropist, I try to help people take ownership. Everything I've done is rooted in the notion that every human being is born equally capable. What people lack is equal opportunity.

Quotes by Pierre Omidyar

There is not less wit nor less invention in applying rightly a thought one finds in a book, than in being the first author of that thought.

Quotes by Pierre Bayle

There is no less invention in aptly applying a thought found in a book, than in being the first author of the thought.

Quotes by Pierre Bayle

I hasten to laugh at everything, for fear of being obliged to weep.

Quotes by Pierre Beaumarchais

The only one who is alive today and still being talked about is Pierre Cardin.

Quotes by Pierre Cardin

Seeing how dumb and stupid they often are, I just couldn't imagine minions being girls.

Quotes by Pierre Coffin

I don't know how to defend myself: surprised innocence cannot imagine being under suspicion.

Quotes by Pierre Corneille

One is often guilty by being too just.

Quotes by Pierre Corneille

I don't really think about being pigeonholed so much.

Quotes by Phyllis Smith

I think this is what hooks one to gardening: it is the closest one can come to being present at creation.

Quotes by Phyllis Theroux

The first time I stepped onto the rooftop of the Potala Palace in Lhasa in 1985, I felt, as never before or since, as if I was stepping onto the rooftop of my being: onto some dimension of consciousness that...

Quotes by Pico Iyer

Being at a very high quality level was the only way for us to survive.

Quotes by Pier Luigi Loro Piana

I wanted to be the greatest woman guitarist alive. I had fantasies about being a female Jimi Hendrix.

Quotes by Phoebe Snow

I lost interest in being in the public eye.

Quotes by Phoebe Snow

Frequently Asked Questions

What perspectives on "being" show up in these quotes?
The quotes touch on being from a particular place ("Being from Louisiana and a big outdoorsman"), being childlike as a performer, being inappropriate as part of the craft of acting, and being flexible and open as part of aging well.
Is there a quote here about acting and creativity?
Yes, two: "As an actor, you always want to reach back to being a child and having the spontaneity and the imagination of a child," and "There's so much we can't express in our day-to-day interaction with people because it's considered inappropriate. And acting is all about being inappropriate." For more on consistent character traits, see Always.
What does this page say about aging?
"Aging gracefully means being flexible, being open, allowing change, enjoying change and loving yourself" offers a positive take on getting older, tied closely to the idea of "being" open to change.
Is there anything here about personal identity or background?
Yes: "Love the show 'Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.' Being from Louisiana and a big outdoorsman, I'm a big fan of 'Duck Dynasty' as well" ties personal identity to place and interests. For more quotes centered on personal likes, browse Like.
How does this page relate to the Able quotes page?
"Being" here is about states and qualities of a person - childlike, open, flexible - while Able focuses more on capability and what someone can do. Also check Good for more positive, character-focused quotes.

You may also like our Good quotes on positive character traits and Always quotes on consistency and steadfastness.