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 went from being a senator, a young senator, to being considered for vice president, running for president, being a vice presidential candidate, and becoming a national public figure. All of which fed a self-focus, an egotism, a narcissism that...

Quotes by John Edwards

I don't know if I like being the sentimental favorite.

Quotes by John Elway

I've gone from being one of the youngest governors to now the longest consecutive serving governor in the country.

Quotes by John Engler

Very few charter schools are being created in some of the best school districts in the state. If you're an educational innovator, that isn't where the greatest need is.

Quotes by John Engler

I loved being in the Senate. That was a wonderful experience.

Quotes by John Ensign

As states subsist in part by keeping their weaknesses from being known, so is it the quiet of families to have their chancery and their parliament within doors, and to compose and determine all emergent differences there.

Quotes by John Donne

What is the use being a big man if you are wrong?

Quotes by John Dos Passos

Film, as far as I'm concerned, is my area of artistic endeavor, so I never think of a movie that gets released as being all done-it's just when they took it away from you.

Quotes by John Dykstra

I always liked to write and had fun writing, but I didn't have any pretensions about being a writer. I liked to read and liked to putz around and write little stories or poems, but my thing was sports.

Quotes by John Edgar Wideman

I'm happy being around my family.

Quotes by John Daly

There's a time in everybody's life they really don't want to talk to people: they want to get away from talking or being on the phone and stuff.

Quotes by John Daly

Being idly hanging around, and that's not good for an actor to do.

Quotes by John de Lancie

Working on being creative in the TV world is endless. It never stops. It's a challenge that never disappears.

Quotes by John de Mol, Jr.

I like touring, I like being in the studio, a bit of both. I like to have a bit of time at home as well.

Quotes by John Deacon

If there is a nuclear tactic being used here, I submit it is the use of that obstruction where a willful minority blocks a bipartisan majority from voting on the President's judicial nominees.

Quotes by John Cornyn

Being on a movie set is like one long financial crisis.

Quotes by John Cusack

Hitler was so modern, in that he was obsessed with being famous. He was caught up with this rush to be have achieved greatness before turning 30.

Quotes by John Cusack

Novels written by university professors and set in the groves of academe are far more rigidly predictable than anything but the most routine science fiction novel, but they have escaped the stigma of being labeled as genre.

Quotes by John Clute

I'm used to being cut out of the conference meetings, but now they are cutting us out even before the bill's are written or either the House or Senate Acts.

Quotes by John Conyers

I love being on my bike, but I don't consider that a sport: it's too pleasant.

Quotes by John Cooper Clarke

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.