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.

There's Catholic guilt about things, then there's the guilt of being the youngest of 10, so when nice things happen to you, you're not really allowed to enjoy them.

Quotes by Jack White

Live stand-up is my thing. I love being on stage and just messing around.

Quotes by Jack Whitehall

Why are we building golf courses? Because we enjoy being outside, bringing man and nature together.

Quotes by Jack Nicklaus

I went through my entire athletic life as a basketball player with only minimal physical setbacks, the worst being a couple of brain concussions, one in a college game in 1948, the other in 1954 while playing in the Eastern...

Quotes by Jack Ramsay

When I'm reading material, if I'm a little bit afraid of a part and I'm willing to admit that to myself, then I'll do it, definitely. If I'm worried about being able to do it, to get it - I...

Quotes by Jack Lemmon

I had the benefit of there being no stigma attached to the arts. My brother's a ballet dancer, and he never came up against anything.

Quotes by Jack Lowden

Anything that would kind of label me or put me into a category is kind of what I want to avoid. I like the idea of being completely free, like having no area that I couldn't cover.

Quotes by Jack Kilmer

Indeed, there are so many prejudices against everyday middle-class values on college campuses, and serving in the military and being pro-American just seems to be one of them.

Quotes by Jack Kingston

Fame is a lot of fun, but it's not interesting. I loved being noticed and praised, even the banquets. But they didn't have anything that I wanted. After about six months, I found it boring.

Quotes by Jack Gilbert

I find it slightly uncomfortable to see my face on a bus or a poster. I like just being known by my friends and family.

Quotes by Jack Gleeson

The lifestyle that comes with being an actor in a successful TV show isn't something I gravitate toward.

Quotes by Jack Gleeson

Historical science is being left in the dust.

Quotes by Jack Horner

I am not someone who enjoys being on the bench.

Quotes by Jack Butland

Regardless of what happens, I want to be part of a successful England team and if I have to swallow my pride and disappointment at not being the number one, then I've got to do that for us to be...

Quotes by Jack Butland

We shifted our philosophy from being a computer mapping group that would support planners to the idea of building actual software that would be well engineered. Because at that time, our software was not well-engineered at all; it was basically...

Quotes by Jack Dangermond

There was this darkness about being from New Jersey.

Quotes by Jack Antonoff

With the acting, it's somebody else's brainchild, and I'm just sort of helping flesh it out. There's a special satisfaction to being the brains behind the operation.

Quotes by Jack Black

I take pride in the creation of my wealth, in its existence and in the uses to which it has been and is being put.

Quotes by J. Paul Getty

When I got done at Duke, I almost felt ashamed of it. I almost tried to distance myself from being the Duke guy.

Quotes by J. J. Redick

We're raising a generation of kids who are being overly praised for incredibly minor accomplishments. I think it's counter-productive.

Quotes by J. K. Simmons

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.