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'm an artist, and an artist doesn't worry about being politically correct when I write.

Quotes by James L. Dolan

There is no heresy or no philosophy which is so abhorrent to the church as a human being.

James Joyce

We have to give value to authority. We have to give value to office, being in office, holding office.

Quotes by James Hillman

If you are still being hurt by an event that happened to you at twelve, it is the thought that is hurting you now.

Quotes by James Hillman

My dream was to be in the NBA. I wasn't really focused on being a star player on a team. I just wanted to make it to the NBA. I've been blessed for the opportunities to be in the Finals,...

Quotes by James Harden

I've always suffered from being labelled a horror writer - just because I didn't go to university, just because I still talk in my natural voice, just because I'm not as articulate as Martin Amis.

Quotes by James Herbert

I've never had any interest at all in being a journalist or writing some sort of historically accurate autobiography.

Quotes by James Frey

After 37 years in the Navy, there were no further jobs in uniform, and it was my time to transition. But I wanted to continue to mentor and educate young people, which is, of course, a big part of being...

Quotes by James G. Stavridis

Being unprepared heightens nerves.

Quotes by James Galway

I think it is most important for a teacher to play the pieces and studies that are being played by the student.

Quotes by James Galway

The body itself is an information processor. Memory resides not just in brains but in every cell. No wonder genetics bloomed along with information theory. DNA is the quintessential information molecule, the most advanced message processor at the cellular level...

Quotes by James Gleick

When I was quite young, I dreamed of being a painter.

Quotes by James Gray

It's not just being called to the ministry that counts.

Quotes by James Green Somerville

You don't build a bond without being present.

Quotes by James Earl Jones

So in my sophomore year, I took a senior anatomy class. I thought anatomy - being the thing that I should be most interested in - and if I could hack, as we called it, a senior class, I would...

Quotes by James Earl Jones

I think the extent to which I have any balance at all, any mental balance, is because of being a farm kid and being raised in those isolated rural areas.

Quotes by James Earl Jones

I happened to happened to land in a time, in the middle '60s, that without knowing it, and without being told by the history of theater - which we now see from a historical point of view was an explosive...

Quotes by James Earl Jones

I think self-criticism is sort of a given when you're an actor. It's also about being curious and not being flippant. Anyone who accepts being in this noble profession is automatically self-critical.

Quotes by James Earl Jones

Speech is a very important aspect of being human. A whisper doesn't cut it.

Quotes by James Earl Jones

No real-world human being brings to the U.S. presidency the range of attributes necessary for full success in the job.

Quotes by James Fallows

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.