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.

Put this restriction on your pleasures, be cautious that they injure no being that lives.

Quotes by John Zimmerman

And I try to be as diplomatic as I can, but it always ends up being a psychodrama up there on stage.

Quotes by John Zorn

The public impression is that the government, industry or the highest bidder can buy a scientist to add credibility to any message. That crucial quality of impartiality is being lost.

Quotes by Johnny Ball

We're just being ourselves and having fun playing baseball. The biggest thing is when people look at our team, they can see that we're having a lot of fun.

Quotes by Johnny Damon

I guess I'm attracted to these off beat roles because my life has been a bit abnormal. The only thing I have a problem with is being labeled.

Quotes by Johnny Depp

Being on the toilet stool is the grossest thing there is, to me.

Quotes by John Witherspoon

Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then.

Quotes by John Wooden

In light of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, critics are arguing that abuses of Iraqi prisoners are being produced by a climate of disregard for the laws of war.

Quotes by John Yoo

I'm thrilled to have a completely new audience that I can get from Court TV, without it being my own trial. That was the only other way I would have gotten it.

Quotes by John Waters

Being a traditionalist, I'm a rabid sucker for Christmas. In July, I'm already worried that there are only 146 shopping days left.

Quotes by John Waters

Courage is being scared to death... and saddling up anyway.

Quotes by John Wayne

I love working with actors, and it's all been based on my being trained in the theater.

Quotes by John Wells

I had delusions of being a 'serious actor,' and I wanted to pursue those delusions.

Quotes by John Wesley Shipp

There's no sense in being precise when you don't even know what you're talking about.

Quotes by John von Neumann

Some people strengthen the society just by being the kind of people they are.

Quotes by John W. Gardner

I had a lovely time growing up. But I was very aware of the miners' strike going on, friends' families collapsing, and people being unemployed.

Quotes by John Tiffany

I can never consent to being dictated to.

Quotes by John Tyler

In the seventeenth century, it was held by some that inside a human sperm there was a minute human being - a homunculus - that was planted inside the womb. Development consisted of the miniature homunculus enlarging and passing through...

Quotes by John Tyler Bonner

Being naked approaches being revolutionary; going barefoot is mere populism.

Quotes by John Updike

I'm trying to get the terrorist out of the bugaboo category and into the category of a fellow human being.

Quotes by John Updike

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.