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 jock to a hippie. It was a very clear-cut decision. I had to be one or the other. I had to forsake that other aspect of myself. Or thought that I had to, which is...

Quotes by J. K. Simmons

Being evil is easy.

Quotes by J. K. Simmons

I completely agree with feeling the need for or the benefits of being pushed and of being directed on a project and collaborating.

Quotes by J. K. Simmons

I'd always had the concern that being in commercials would affect my credibility when I was getting started as a TV and film actor.

Quotes by J. K. Simmons

I have the feeling of being a very small item on this planet, and literature enables me to express that.

Quotes by J. M. G. Le Clezio

Yes, we are all different. Different customs, different foods, different mannerisms, different languages, but not so different that we cannot get along with one another. If we will disagree without being disagreeable.

Quotes by J. Martin Kohe

When I saw Wonder Woman being constantly put in positions where she'd get tied up with her own rope, or held hostage, even as a kid, my reaction was 'C'mon, she's too smart for that.'

Quotes by J. Michael Straczynski

On a certain level, I don't think there is an answer to what the American way is, because it is constantly being re-defined. It's also been exploited and capitalized upon and politicized by one side or the other to the...

Quotes by J. Michael Straczynski

Stage-persona notwithstanding, I'm extremely shy and quiet. Almost painfully shy. People misinterpret that as being above it all or not interested.

Quotes by J. Michael Straczynski

Most writers flinch at the thought of being completely honest about themselves. So absolute honesty is what marks the true modern.

Quotes by J. G. Ballard

I've always enjoyed being a Gypsy.

Quotes by J. J. Cale

The need for a non-veteran reserve became painfully obvious in the Korean war when many of the men who were being called to serve were World War II veterans participating in Ready Reserve units.

Quotes by J. Anthony Lukas

Even when I'm playing a lawyer or a doctor, I want to play a person. A human being.

Quotes by J. August Richards

One disadvantage of being a hog is that at any moment some blundering fool may try to make a silk purse out of your wife's ear.

Quotes by J. B. Morton

Britain, which in the years immediately before this war was rapidly losing such democratic virtues as it possessed, is now being bombed and burned into democracy.

Quotes by J. B. Priestley

Part of being a top-20 firm is mind-share.

Quotes by J. B. Pritzker

When I'm writing a movie, it's usually pretty close to what the movie is going to be, which is just a luxury of being a writer-director.

Quotes by J. C. Chandor

I struggled with being a broke college graduate, and while all my friends were getting career jobs, I was working horrible part-time jobs. That's why now, even when I get tired, I think, 'This is what I asked for.'

Quotes by J. Cole

When I was in fourth grade, a novelist came to talk to my English class. She told us that being an author meant sitting at the kitchen table in pajamas, drinking tea with the dogs at your feet.

Quotes by J. Courtney Sullivan

To be honest, I really don't like being the sex object.

Quotes by Izabella Scorupco

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.