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.

Like, Mission Of Burma to me always sounded almost like they were part of the British Arty New Wave. I kind of like that. I like not being able to tell the difference.

Quotes by Graham Coxon

I worked at the golf course, and I always had dreams and aspirations of being a professional golfer.

Quotes by Graham DeLaet

No human being can really understand another, and no one can arrange another's happiness.

Quotes by Graham Greene

Rome is a place almost worn out by being looked at, a city collapsing under the weight of reference.

Quotes by Graham Joyce

Be like Sasha Fierce. Be like Miley Cyrus. Be like Rihanna. Be like Lady Gaga. Be like Rita Ora and Sia. Be like Madonna. I cannot be like them, except to the extent that they are already being like me.

Quotes by Grace Jones

I was working with C. L. R. James; I believed in Marxist ideas about the labor and movement and the workers being the secret to the future. And I learned differently just by being in Detroit and being married to...

Quotes by Grace Lee Boggs

I've loved being in legislative office on a state level, and I think on a federal level there are so many more opportunities. I'm so excited to accomplish more.

Quotes by Grace Meng

Being the only Asian-American in the State Legislature, I've had no choice but to reach across the aisle.

Quotes by Grace Meng

I see musicians like Bonnie Raitt and Emmylou Harris as more than just musical icons: they are planets, with a gravitational pull - from how they flip their hair just-so when they bow, right down to their hearty backstage banter....

Quotes by Grace Potter

Death is like taking an intermission when you can't come back. I like living and being around.

Quotes by Grace Slick

There's a lot to be said for being nouveau riche, and the Reagans mean to say it all.

Quotes by Gore Vidal

The only thing that I react really violently to is being misquoted.

Quotes by Gore Vidal

I am told the Cheney-Bush team dislikes their junta being compared to the Nazis. If they ceased behaving like Nazis, no comparison would come to mind.

Quotes by Gore Vidal

Music is the pleasure the human mind experiences from counting without being aware that it is counting.

Quotes by Gottfried Leibniz

I maintain also that substances, whether material or immaterial, cannot be conceived in their bare essence without any activity, activity being of the essence of substance in general.

Quotes by Gottfried Leibniz

It follows from what we have just said, that the natural changes of monads come from an internal principle, since an external cause would be unable to influence their inner being.

Quotes by Gottfried Leibniz

Let us be lazy in everything, except in loving and drinking, except in being lazy.

Quotes by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

This is such a perfect kind of career for me because I love making videos and being in the studio and being on tour.

Quotes by Grace Chatto

Being in adverts, it's a tricky thing, I suppose.

Quotes by Grace Chatto

It's so different in the different states, it is sometimes like being in a different country.

Quotes by Grace Chatto

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.