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.

Having read the histories of other countries, I saw that expansion was everything, and that the world's surface being limited, the great object of present humanity should be to take as much of the world as it possibly could.

Quotes by Cecil Rhodes

Mother, being a pianist, told me how to play with my fingers on the piano.

Quotes by Cecil Taylor

Thanks to President Obama, being a woman will no longer be a pre-existing condition!

Quotes by Cecile Richards

People have confused playing devil's advocate with being intelligent.

Quotes by Cecily Strong

There have been some terrible winters in Chicago, where it feels like I'm literally being punched in the face, and everyone walks around looking stunned like they've just witnessed a murder.

Quotes by Cecily Strong

When I write on 'SNL,' I've found I'm most productive while collaborating and joking with friends and not being firmly attached to any one idea.

Quotes by Cecily Strong

It sounds so cliched, but I've always been kind of different. I always liked being around weird kids.

Quotes by Cecily Strong

High school dropout rates nationally - Not enough is being done on this issue.

Quotes by Cedric Richmond

I'm a little lavish I must admit. But I'm not really concerned with money. Being rich is not my goal, being wealthy is.

Quotes by CeeLo Green

I get a kick out of not being ideal. I think it's awesome. That's entirely the point. And I think my creator is quite a character for letting that be.

Quotes by CeeLo Green

My stepson is a caring, considerate, worthy human being.

Quotes by Catherine Zeta-Jones

I like being in the workforce; it keeps me grounded.

Quotes by Cathy Freeman

The biggest change in my life is that I now have to apologize for being thin.

Quotes by Cathy Guisewite

It breaks my heart that we are always being nudged toward the most recently published books, when so many worthy books have gone unexplored.

Quotes by Cathy Marie Buchanan

The Republicans have long had a platform of being pro-life. And I'm someone that believes life begins at conception and should be protected.

Quotes by Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Far too many government spending programs have gone years, even decades, without being reauthorized, leaving the American people less able to effectively review, rethink, and possibly eliminate government programs.

Quotes by Cathy McMorris Rodgers

I like being independent; I like doing things myself. I'm an instinctual person.

Quotes by Cathy Moriarty

Woman novelists seem to have a reputation for being dowdy.

Quotes by Catherine Gaskin

Most times when people pitch you as being perfect for a part... they don't look at you as an actor who can transform. A lot of people are so literal.

Quotes by Catherine Keener

New York is a great place to be as an unrepresented actor because there are so many 'open auditions' that you can show up for without being submitted by an agent.

Quotes by Catherine Mary Stewart

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.