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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.

Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it.

Quotes by John Lennon

Many young people, many children, are being abused, being put down, being bullied because of their sexual orientation.

Quotes by John Lewis

We are really trying to move from being just a technology provider to being a partner with our customers.

Quotes by John L. Flannery

While the men of the steel industry were going through blood and gas in defense of their rights and their homes and their families, elsewhere on the far-flung C.I.O. front the hosts of labor were advancing and intelligent and permanent...

Quotes by John L. Lewis

Was there ever anyone more ill-suited for being the showman of the year than me?

Quotes by John Landgraf

Even good shows can fail to find an audience because they're drowned out by the noise and the sheer volume of everything that is being made. It's one of the downsides of there being, as I've argued, too many shows.

Quotes by John Landgraf

I appreciated being rich because it allowed me to study in Paris and Geneva.

Quotes by John Kendrew

Our country was founded by geniuses, but it's being run by idiots.

Quotes by John Kennedy

Much literary criticism comes from people for whom extreme specialization is a cover for either grave cerebral inadequacy or terminal laziness, the latter being a much cherished aspect of academic freedom.

Quotes by John Kenneth Galbraith

Money differs from an automobile or mistress in being equally important to those who have it and those who do not.

Quotes by John Kenneth Galbraith

I hated being a public company CEO.

Quotes by John Katzman

I never thought in terms of being a leader. I thought very simply in terms of helping people.

Quotes by John Hume

I don't miss being a priest. The fulfillment factor in matrimony is far greater.

Quotes by John J. McLaughlin

What I remember most vividly was the sense of always being a little behind the other kids in class - that sense of I wasn't cut out for class or I wasn't cut out to read.

Quotes by John Hickenlooper

Radiohead showed a real affinity to being bold with visual imagery, so it came as no surprise when Jonny Greenwood did 'There Will Be Blood.'

Quotes by John Hillcoat

For 'The Trip To Bountiful,' I was worried about being too heavy, because I supposedly had just gotten out of the hospital.

Quotes by John Heard

Mickey is one of the prime examples: Mickey has never been suspected of being an American export. It was deja vu. They gave him a local name and he's been accepted everywhere he goes.

Quotes by John Hench

Being appointed Elder Professor meant very much taking over the shop, in that the professor in those days controlled all the moneys.

Quotes by John Henry Carver

If we insist on being as sure as is conceivable... we must be content to creep along the ground, and never soar.

Quotes by John Henry Newman

Rather than constantly questioning and challenging our beliefs and being willing to think differently about the opportunities that are out there, we withdraw into what we've done before. And in a world that's rapidly changing, that's a formula for vulnerability.

Quotes by John Hagel III

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.