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 American audiences are open to people with accents and different nationalities being on the screen.

Quotes by Jamie Bamber

I tend to thrive on being misquoted. It's the only way I sound good.

Quotes by Jamie Campbell Bower

I used to object to being called an Indian writer, and would always say I was a writer who happened to be an Indian, and who happened to write about Indians.

Quotes by James Welch

Shortly after this I was made a member of the boys' choir, it being found that I possessed a clear, strong soprano voice. I enjoyed the singing very much.

Quotes by James Weldon Johnson

I do not see how a people that can find in its conscience any excuse whatever for slowly burning to death a human being, or for tolerating such an act, can be entrusted with the salvation of a race.

Quotes by James Weldon Johnson

The lies the government and media tell are amplifications of the lies we tell ourselves. To stop being conned, stop conning yourself.

Quotes by James Wolcott

It isn't that NPR is matriarchal but that it has dedicated itself to not being patriarchal in its outlook and presentation, stipulating from the outset that its headline voices would not resound across the fruited plains from big male bags...

Quotes by James Wolcott

Personally, I think I am much calmer under incredibly stressful situations, and I've learned to deal with pressure and nerves, which is key to being a performer of any caliber.

Quotes by James Wolpert

Being on a boat that's moving through the water, it's so clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what's important and what's not.

Quotes by James Taylor

All of these people kept on being professional musicians and composers in the strictest sense.

Quotes by James Tenney

We all have faults, and mine is being wicked.

Quotes by James Thurber

The wonderful thing about being an artist in L.A. is that there is no taste. There's anarchy of taste, which seems good to me.

Quotes by James Turrell

If you're not an optimist, forget being an artist.

Quotes by James Turrell

Generally, we use light to illuminate other things. I like the thingness, the materiality of light itself. So it feels like it's occupying the space, making a plane, being something that was there, not just passing through. Because light is...

Quotes by James Turrell

I woke up one morning to an email from my friend Alex that said she'd had her bag stolen. Ordinarily, I'm quite quick on the uptake, but - maybe because of the way it was worded - I immediately replied,...

Quotes by James Veitch

If being the biggest company was a guarantee of success, we'd all be using IBM computers and driving GM cars.

Quotes by James Surowiecki

Sincerity is impossible, unless it pervade the whole being, and the pretence of it saps the very foundation of character.

Quotes by James Russell Lowell

I think e-books are terrific in their own right. I love being able to get on a plane and basically carry around seven books and it weigh 10 ounces.

Quotes by James Patterson

One would think that in writing about literary men and matters there would be no difficulty in finding a title for one's essay, or that any embarrassment which might arise would be from excess of material. I find this, however,...

Quotes by James Payn

One of the great things about being an actor is that you have a completely different challenge every few months.

Quotes by James Purefoy

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.