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 learned that having great sensitivity is important. But being strong is just as important.

Quotes by Ruby Dee

When I was young, I dreamt of being a starlet in Hollywood. But there comes a point in every African American's life when you realize the limitations, that you could only play maids or some little supporting role. Even Lena...

Quotes by Ruby Dee

I've done a lot of death cartoons - tombstones, Grim Reaper, illness, obituaries... I'm not great at analyzing things, but my guess is that maybe the only relief from the terror of being alive is jokes.

Quotes by Roz Chast

I went through a lot of my life not being mindful of how I was living it. I wasn't mindful environmentally, or whether I was on track.

Quotes by Roz Savage

We like to think of industrialization as being despicable. I don't really know what to make of it. There's something terribly brittle about it.

Quotes by Roy Lichtenstein

I'm interested in being part of a majority in the Senate.

Quotes by Roy Blunt

When it comes to being a responsible steward of the economy, Congress needs to either lead by promoting a pro-growth economic agenda - or, better yet, get the heck out of the way.

Quotes by Roy Blunt

A-Frame became an expression of creating a place where everyone would feel comfortable, even if you were made to feel uncomfortable in restaurants before. It's a place where I explored my own insecurities as far as being mistreated in restaurants...

Quotes by Roy Choi

Sure, I had dreams of being a star when I was 18. I could've pushed it, too, but it wouldn't have happened any sooner. I'm lucky. What's happened has happened in spite of me.

Quotes by Roy Clark

In politics, being ridiculous is more damaging than being extreme.

Quotes by Roy Hattersley

We can do more good by being good, than in any other way.

Quotes by Rowland Hill

It's a wonderful feeling just being in this creative motif.

Quotes by Roy Ayers

Being president of too many well-meaning organizations put my father into an early grave. The lesson in this was not lost on me.

Quotes by Roy Blount, Jr.

There are but two things worth living for: to do what is worthy of being written; and to write what is worthy of being read.

Quotes by Ross Perot

Being a growing entertainer, period, you're going to always have struggles. I'm still trying to learn how to even perform right onstage.

Quotes by Rotimi

It was when I came back from Leeds that things started to change. I went from being a kid to having to man up and going into a man's game.

Quotes by Ross Barkley

Awards shows are being pushed to shed their genteel limousine liberalism and embrace the race-gender-sexual identity agenda in full.

Quotes by Ross Douthat

Cultural arenas and institutions that were always liberal are being prodded or dragged further to the left.

Quotes by Ross Douthat

As I stood there absorbing Hammett's novel, the slot machines at the back of the shop were clanking and whirring, and in the billiard room upstairs the perpetual poker game was being played.

Quotes by Ross MacDonald

There's something to be said for being given a tremendous amount of freedom as an actor.

Quotes by Rosemarie DeWitt

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.