The promises of this world are, for the most part, vain phantoms; and to confide in one’s self, and become something of worth and value is the best and safest course.
—Michelangelo (1475–1564) Italian Painter, Sculptor, Architect, Poet, Engineer
It’s terrifying to see someone inside of whom a vital spring seems to have been broken. It’s particularly terrifying to see him in your mirror.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
Camouflage is a game we all like to play, but our secrets are as surely revealed by what we want to seem to be as by what we want to conceal.
—Russell Lynes (1910–91) American Art Historian, Photographer, Author, Editor
Endurance is frequently a form of indecision.
—Elizabeth Bibesco (1897–1945) English Poet, Short Story Writer, Novelist
We must be our own before we can be another’s.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
We do not deal much in facts when we are contemplating ourselves.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Life is a process of becoming, a combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.
—Anais Nin (1903–77) French-American Essayist
We have all a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.
—Jane Austen (1775–1817) English Novelist
My library is my kingdom, and here I try to make my rule absolute-shutting off this single nook from wife, daughter and society. Elsewhere I have only a verbal authority, and vague. Unhappy is the man, in my opinion, who has no spot at home where he can be at home to himself-to court himself and hide away.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Up to a point a man’s life is shaped by environment, heredity, and the movements and changes in the world around him. Then there comes a time when it lies within his grasp to shape the clay of his life into the sort of thing he wishes to be. Only the weak blame parents, their race, their times, lack of good fortune, or the quirks of fate. Everyone has it within his power to say, ‘This I am today; that I will be tomorrow.’ The wish, however, must be implemented by deeds.
—Louis L’Amour (1908–88) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
When you are alone you are all your own.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Inventor, Architect
Be brave enough to live creatively. The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You can’t get there by bus, only by hard work, risking, and by not quite knowing what you’re doing. What you’ll discover will be wonderful: yourself.
—Alan Alda (b.1936) American Actor, TV Personality, Screenwriter
Life ceases to be a fraction and becomes an integer.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Minister
Those who are brutally honest are seldom so with themselves.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
Just when I think I have learned the way to live, life changes and I am left the same. The more things change the more I am the same. I am what I started with, and when it is all over I will be all that is left of me.
—Hugh Prather (b.1938) American Christian Author, Minister, Counselor
To be nobody-but-yourself–in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else–means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting.
—e. e. cummings (1894–1962) American Poet, Writer, Painter
Man is never alone. Acknowledged or unacknowledged, that which dreams through him is always there to support him from within.
—Laurens van der Post (1906–96) South African-born British Political leader, Author, Educator, Journalist, Humanitarian
A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
To dare to live alone is the rarest courage; since there are many who had rather meet their bitterest enemy in the field, than their own hearts in their closet.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone.
—Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906) Norwegian Playwright
It takes courage to push yourself to places that you have never been before… to test your limits… to break through barriers. And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
—Anais Nin (1903–77) French-American Essayist
I care not so much what I am in the opinion of others as what I am in my own; I would be rich of myself and not by borrowing.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; the hardest victory is over self.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
If you want to know how rich you really are, find out what would be left of you tomorrow if you should lose every dollar you own tonight?
—William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) American Presbyterian Minister
I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
—Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909) American Unitarian Clergyman
A man is ever apt to contemplate himself out of all proportion to his surroundings.
—Christina Rossetti (1830–94) English Poet, Hymn Writer
Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.
—Alan Watts (1915–73) British-American Philosopher, Author
Oh! that you could turn your eyes towards the napes of your necks, and make but an interior survey of your good selves.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Self-denial is simply a method by which man arrests his progress.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Luck is always waiting for something to turn up. Labor, with keen eyes and strong will, always turns up something. Luck lies in bed and wishes the postman will bring news of a legacy. Labor turns out at six o’clock and with busy pen or ringing hammer, lays the foundation of a competence. Luck whines. Labor whistles. Luck relies on chance, labor on character.
—Richard Cobden
In vain he seeketh others to suppress who hath not learned himself first to subdue.
—Edmund Spenser (1552–99) English Poet
It is often hard to bear the tears that we ourselves have caused.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922) French Novelist
Man, know thyself.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
All men are sculptors, constantly chipping away the unwanted parts of their lives, trying to create their idea of a masterpiece.
—Eddie Murphy (b.1961) American Actor
To know oneself, one should assert oneself. Psychology is action, not thinking about oneself. We continue to shape our personality all our life. If we knew ourselves perfectly, we should die.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
A criminal becomes a popular figure because he unburdens in no small degree the consciences of his fellow man, for now they know once more where evil is to be found.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
If in the last few years you haven’t discarded a major opinion or acquired a new one, check your pulse. You may be dead.
—Gelett Burgess (1866–1951) American Humorist, Art Critic
To know what you prefer, instead of humbly saying “Amen” to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to keep your soul alive.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.
—Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) American Sportsperson
A person who doubts himself is like a man who would enlist in the ranks of his enemies and bear arms against himself. He makes his failure certain by himself being the first person to be convinced of it.
—Alexandre Dumas, pere (1802–1870) French Novelist, Playwright
Living is being born slowly. It would be a little too easy if we could borrow ready-made souls.
—Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900–44) French Novelist, Aviator
The man that shows off, to that one who wants to convince of his value is to himself.
—Domenico Cieri (b.1954) Mexican Author, Aphorist
If you can go through life without ever experiencing pain you probably haven’t been born yet. And if you’ve gone through pain and think you know exactly why, you haven’t examined all the options.
—Neil Simon (1927–2018) American Playwright
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
A man has to live with himself, and he should see to it that he always has good company.
—Charles Evans Hughes (1862–1948) American Elected Rep, Judge, Politician, Lawyer, Professor
We have five senses in which we glory and which we recognize and celebrate, senses that constitute the sensible world for us. But there are other senses – secret senses, sixth senses, if you will – equally vital, but unrecognized, and unlauded.
—Oliver Sacks (1933–2015) Anglo-American Neurologist, Writer
Men throw themselves on foreign assistances to spare their own, which, after all, are the only certain and sufficient ones.
—Michel de Montaigne (1533–92) French Essayist
There are… things which a man is afraid to tell even to himself, and every decent man has a number of such things stored away in his mind.
—Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821–81) Russian Novelist, Essayist, Writer
There is no dependence that can be sure but a dependence upon one’s self.
—John Gay (1685–1732) English Poet, Dramatist
We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we know now that it is bad economics.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
Who will adhere to him that abandons himself?
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
We sometimes feel that we have been really understood, but it was always long ago, by someone now dead.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
The more you speak of yourself, the more likely you are to lie.
—Johann Jacob Zimmermann (1644–93) German Nonconformist Theologian, Mathematician, Astronomer
We are sure to be losers when we quarrel with ourselves; it is civil war.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
He that neither knows himself nor thinks he can learn of others is not fit for company.
—Benjamin Whichcote (1609–83) British Anglican Priest, Theologian, Philosopher
Man’s main task in life is to give birth to himself, to become what he potentially is. The most important product of his effort is his own personality.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
We reproach people for talking about themselves, but it is the subject they treat best.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
Every man is the painter and the sculptor of his own life.
—John Chrysostom (c.347–407 CE) Archbishop of Constantinople
When the fight begins within himself, a man’s worth something.
—Robert Browning (1812–89) English Poet
The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want.
—Ben Stein (b.1944) American Lawyer, Writer, Economist, Humorist
Few people know so clearly what they want. Most people can’t even think what to hope for when they throw a penny in a fountain.
—Barbara Kingsolver (b.1955) American Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Every man has a mob self and an individual self, in varying proportions.
—D. H. Lawrence (1885–1930) English Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Essayist, Literary Critic
People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering.
—Augustine of Hippo (354–430) Roman-African Christian Philosopher
He who asks of life nothing but the improvement of his own nature is less liable than anyone else to miss and waste life.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
We catch frightful glimpses of ourselves in the hostile eyes of others.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
If a man happens to find himself, he has a mansion which he can inhabit with dignity all the days of his life.
—James A. Michener (1907–97) American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Historian
You cannot fully understand your own life without knowing and thinking beyond your life, your own neighborhood, and even your own nation.
—Johnnetta B. Cole (b.1936) American Anthropologist, Educator
Nobody, but nobody, is going to tell me I’m not the most. I am. I was the most when everybody else was struggling bitterly to become a little.
—William Saroyan (1908–81) American Novelist, Playwright, Short Story Writer
A man may be outwardly successful all his life long, and die hollow and worthless as a puff-ball; and he may be externally defeated all his life long, and die in the royalty of a kingdom established within him. — A man’s true estate of power and riches, is to be in himself; not in his dwelling, or position, or external relations, but in his own essential character. — That is the realm, in which he is to live, if he is to live as a Christian man.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Misfortunes one can endure — they come from outside, they are accidents. But to suffer for one’s own faults — Ah! there is the sting of life.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
It is the individual who knows how little they know about themselves who stands the most reasonable chance of finding out something about themselves before they die.
—S. I. Hayakawa (1906–92) Canadian-born American Academic, Elected Rep, Politician
In every part and corner of our life, to lose oneself is to be the gainer; to forget oneself is to be happy.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
By all means use sometimes to be alone. Salute thyself: see what thy soul doth wear. Dare to look in thy chest; for ‘Tis thine own: And tumble up and down what thou findst there. Who cannot rest till he good fellows find, he breaks up house, turns out of doors his mind.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
To be too conscious is an illness – a real thoroughgoing illness.
—Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821–81) Russian Novelist, Essayist, Writer
Each of us is something of a schizophrenic personality, tragically divided against ourselves.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself.
—Thales of Miletus (c.624–c.545 BCE) Greek Philosopher, Mathematician
A man without self-restraint is like a barrel without hoops, and tumbles to pieces.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
A man may be so much of every thing, that he is nothing of any thing.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Man cannot remake himself without suffering, for he is both the marble and the sculptor.
—Alexis Carrel (1873–1944) American Surgeon, Biologist
Reputation is in itself only a farthing-candle, of wavering and uncertain flame, and easily blown out, but it is the light by which the world looks for and finds merit.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
When you give of your possessions, you give but little; it is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
—Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
Man never knows what he wants; he aspires to penetrate mysteries and as soon as he has, he wants to reestablish them. Ignorance irritates him and knowledge cloys.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
It is necessary to try to surpass one’s self always; this occupation ought to last as long as life.
—Christina, Queen of Sweden (1626–89) Swedish Monarch
The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
The average man plays to the gallery of his own self-esteem.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
In order to judge properly, one must get away somewhat from what one is judging, after having loved it. This is true of countries, of persons, and of oneself.
—Andre Gide (1869–1951) French Novelist
There is a great deal of unmapped country within us which would have to be taken into account in an explanation of our gusts and storms.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Few men survey themselves with so much severity as not to admit prejudices in their own favor.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Never mind searching for who you are. Search for the person you aspire to be.
—Robert Brault
There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.
—Nelson Mandela (1918–2013) South African Political leader
Every man is two men; one is awake in the darkness, the other asleep in the light.
—Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
No one remains quite what he was when he recognizes himself.
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955) German Novelist, Short Story Writer, Social Critic, Philanthropist, Essayist
One may understand the cosmos, but never the ego; the self is more distant than any star.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
What you have outside you counts less than what you have inside you.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
We never understand a thing so well, and make it our own, as when we have discovered it for ourselves.
—Rene Descartes (1596–1650) French Mathematician, Philosopher
For souls in growth, great quarrels are great emancipators.
—Logan Pearsall Smith (1865–1946) American-British Essayist, Bibliophile
Man is a wonder to himself; he can neither govern nor know himself.
—Benjamin Whichcote (1609–83) British Anglican Priest, Theologian, Philosopher
Man can starve from a lack of self-realization as much as… from a lack of bread.
—Richard Wright (1908–1960) American Novelist, Short-Story Writer
Pain reaches the heart with electrical speed, but truth moves to the heart as slowly as a glacier.
—Barbara Kingsolver (b.1955) American Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Idleness is an inlet to disorder, and makes way for licentiousness. — People who have nothing to do are quickly tired of their own company.
—Jeremy Collier (1650–1726) Anglican Church Historian, Clergyman
The greatest pride, or the greatest despondency, is the greatest ignorance of one’s self.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher, Theologian
You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.
—James Anthony Froude (1818–94) British Historian, Novelist, Biographer, Editor
Learning how to operate a soul figures to take time.
—Timothy Leary (1920–96) American Psychologist, Author
Self-destruction is the effect of cowardice in the highest extreme.
—Daniel Defoe (1659–1731) English Writer, Journalist, Pamphleteer