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.

Barack Obama being President of the United States doesn't mean racism has disappeared. It's all a process, and we have to be aware that the work never ends.

Quotes by Misty Copeland

Whenever there was chaos in my house, whether it was arguing, being in a cramped space with all of us kids and screaming, I found an empty space where I could just put music on and move.

Quotes by Misty Copeland

It's really hard being old - it's horrible.

Quotes by Miriam Margolyes

When a person becomes a legend, the very thing that makes them human and knowable is killed off, so it's like being killed over and over and over again, for all eternity.

Quotes by Miriam Toews

My music is about being strong, even in your vulnerability.

Quotes by Miranda Lambert

I really think that being yourself, being original, being outside the box is starting to be appealing to people.

Quotes by Miranda Lambert

If I wasn't in the entertainment industry at all, I would be a miserable human being serving pancakes at Denny's. I'm also a singer, so maybe I'd be singing at dark jazz clubs in Brooklyn.

Quotes by Miranda Rae Mayo

You do a James Bond film, you're being part of an anachronism, a tradition.

Quotes by Minnie Driver

Security has come from being successful.

Quotes by Minnie Driver

Being the gateway to a large city, St. Louis, I had felt from the very beginning that somehow this building should symbolize this sense of being a gateway.

Quotes by Minoru Yamasaki

And a building must be like a human being. It must have a wholeness about it, something that is very important.

Quotes by Minoru Yamasaki

Americans are not used to being bombed in their beds, but if you come from anywhere outside America, it's not highly unusual.

Quotes by Mira Nair

Being is like pretending.

Quotes by Mira Sorvino

Being the heavy favorite is not always a good thing because of the amount of pressure on an athlete.

Quotes by Mirai Nagasu

We need to recognize how difficult and important being a mother is.

Quotes by Min Jin Lee

I think that the shame of being different is very painful for a lot of people.

Quotes by Min Jin Lee

I went to Dartmouth College so simply by being an Indian-American woman, I was already so statistically interesting. And then the fact that I didn't want to do anything science-related, and I wanted to write comedy plays and act little...

Quotes by Mindy Kaling

I have a thick skin, which comes from being a not-really-skinny, dark-skinned Indian woman. I haven't fit in every place, and so I'm kind of used to resistance.

Quotes by Mindy Kaling

I love that synergy between being entertainers and having people respond. There's no greater reward.

Quotes by Ming-Na Wen

Being a sci-fi geek, it was just lovely to be on a show where I pretend I'm in outer space. That's always been my dream: to pretend to be out in space or actually be out in space.

Quotes by Ming-Na Wen

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.