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.

I was fed up with not being able to play a movie the way I wanted to play it.

Quotes by Jon Johansen

To drop into being means to recognize your interconnectedness with all life, and with being itself. Your very nature is being part of larger and larger spheres of wholeness.

Quotes by Jon Kabat-Zinn

I started the Stress Reduction Clinic in 1979. The idea of bringing Buddhist meditation without the Buddhism into the mainstream of medicine was tantamount to the Visigoths being at the gates about to tear down the citadel of Western civilization.

Quotes by Jon Kabat-Zinn

It is what makes us human, what distinguishes us from other animals. We can be aware of being aware.

Quotes by Jon Kabat-Zinn

Earliest musical memory is probably being scared stiff with my family's band as a youngster on stage playing the conga drums.

Quotes by Jon Batiste

My health and my family are the core of my being.

Quotes by Jon Bon Jovi

I've made a point of not being, say what I refer to as a 'careerist' about anything.

Quotes by Jon Brion

We're so used to everything being properly manicured, like you can hear every footstep in a movie, you can hear every bit of dialogue, and everything is in its place.

Quotes by Jon Brion

Some people are more fluid than others at just being themselves and recognizing what's good about themselves.

Quotes by Jon Brion

Every time one person gets a piece of information, the likelihood of that information being exposed grows exponentially. It's no longer two people. It's two people squared.

Quotes by Jon Cryer

I try to save being angry for the really important moments - for special occasions.

Quotes by Jon Cryer

We talked about the Internet and Wikipedia and how facts and history are being collectively created online.

Quotes by Joichi Ito

The biggest thing is being a man of your own time, combining craft with the graft, creating your own opportunities.

Quotes by Joivan Wade

I don't mind being called a puppet. But I'm the puppet of the people.

Quotes by Joko Widodo

I didn't want the Ramones being told what to be doing, and I wanted the Ramones being presented in the right light - the remaining Ramones.

Quotes by Johnny Ramone

There's lots of stuff about me being a fan of Cliff but not being gay. Which suggests that he is, but he's not. Anyway, this is Channel 4, let their lawyers sort it out.

Quotes by Johnny Vegas

I actually enjoy being heckled; it keeps it interesting, and I think it is a nice feeling for people once they have left the show.

Quotes by Johnny Vegas

All the adults in my family were actors, so there wasn't much else in terms of role models. I fell in love with that world, being backstage at the theatre.

Quotes by Johnny Flynn

Perhaps 'Big Bang' fans feel so protective of the show because it is, despite being a hit show on a big network, something of a word-of-mouth phenomenon.

Quotes by Johnny Galecki

The biggest fear in my life is being mediocre.

Quotes by Johnny Iuzzini

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.