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 think for a lot of so-called post-colonial peoples, there's a feeling of not being quite legitimate, of not being pure enough.

Quotes by Jessica Hagedorn

Life is not simple, and people can't be boxed into being either heroes or villains.

Quotes by Jessica Hagedorn

Growing up, I was a very shy kid but I felt that being on stage or playing another character would somehow open me up. And I think it did.

Quotes by Jesse Tyler Ferguson

I still feel like a novice when it comes to classical theater, but I don't ever want to become comfortable with anything. The greatest creativity comes from being nervous and uncomfortable.

Quotes by Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Storytelling is based on the word, being an honorable person of integrity is based on your word.

Quotes by Jesse Williams

I'm kind of in a middle space, being marketed as a biracial actor. Roles are written either stereotypically black, or they're written 'normal,' which is just code for white.

Quotes by Jesse Williams

That's why the role that I have on 'Grey's Anatomy' is important to me, because it's a human being. He doesn't have to wear race on his sleeve; he doesn't even have to talk about it. We just lead by...

Quotes by Jesse Williams

I don't like being the center of attention.

Quotes by Jessica Alba

I love being around kids; they're honest and refreshing, and I love teaching them new things.

Quotes by Jesse Bradford

I remember being taught my place.

Quotes by Jesse Jackson

Being a member of the Nintendo generation, I've got a really short attention span.

Quotes by Jesse Kellerman

I liked being one of the fastest guys on the field.

Quotes by Jesse Lee Soffer

I am comfortable in myself and my surroundings, so that makes me play stress-free and enjoy being on the ball.

Quotes by Jesse Lingard

I'd love to direct, I'd love to produce. I'd love to learn all about it, and being around it all the time certainly helps.

Quotes by Jesse McCartney

The last bastion of competitiveness is local advertising sales. There's little being spent by local advertisers on the Internet. That's where local media have leverage.

Quotes by Jerry Yang

The Yahoo story is still being written.

Quotes by Jerry Yang

There are many types of participation. One can observe so intensely that one becomes part of the action, but without being an active participant.

Quotes by Jerzy Kosinski

When I read 'Absalom, Absalom!,' I remember being really excited about it and telling all my friends they had to read it, especially my writer friends.

Quotes by Jesmyn Ward

I am utterly ambitious. I'm ambitious for the sake of being so, too.

Quotes by Jess Phillips

I've made a career out of being able to talk about difficult things, and that comes from growing up in an environment where nothing was embarrassing.

Quotes by Jess Phillips

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.