Amy Tan Quotes

The best you can do is set your kids on the right track; staying on it without falling is up to the kids.

Growing up in Oklahoma the way I did, and being raised the way I was raised by my parents, gave me such a strong foundation to go out into the world and fly, so to speak, the way I was able to do.

I train as smart as I can. I'm not concerned what others think. I do what works for me.

I have no regrets. I find everything happens for a reason and the reason why maybe this is happening is I won't take BS from anyone. And I think it's making me stand out on my own and be very independent and fight for what I believe in.

I raised you to be a thoroughbred. When thoroughbreds run, they wear blinders to keep their eyes focused straight ahead with no distractions, no other horses. They hear the crowd, but they don’t listen. They just run their own race. That’s what you have to do. Don’t listen to anyone comparing you to me or to anyone else. You just run your own race.

Be strong. Don't be a follower. Always do the right thing.

There are things one must do for oneself.

If you would have your son to walk honourably through the world, you must not attempt to clear the stones from his path, but teach him to walk firmly over them - not insist upon leading him by the hand, but let him learn to go alone.

John and I were lucky because our mother was a strong woman with high expectations and a strong sense of values. She encouraged us to pursue things we were interested in and not think about what other people wanted us to do.

Look at people for an example, but then make sure to do things your way. Surround yourself with positive people.

I think it's really easy to just get caught up in what everyone else is doing, so I think the most important thing to remember is to be really strong in your own shoes. That is the main thing for me. The one thing that kind of gets in my way sometimes is when I'm a little too aware of everybody else.

Don't change for nobody.

Be able to live alone, even if you don't want to and think you will never find it necessary.

You cannot live your life looking at yourself from someone else's point of view.

People are always going to identify with what it's like living in society and have people judge you in certain ways, and how you can be strong enough to be your own person and all those good things.

I don't lack confidence. I don't sweat. I don't want to get too Zen on you, but I have to run my own race.

When I first got into the league, I tried to fit in. Now I don't care.

I grew up with just my mom. She and I were like best friends. She's a very independent woman and I admire that about her. In my life, I've tried to be like that. To be okay with being on my own and being independent.

Scouting teaches a boy to take care of himself and stand on his own two feet.

It's no good being too easily swayed by people's opinions. You have to believe in yourself.

I work hard. I focus on myself and putting food on my dinner table before anything else. I don't worry about other artists. Worrying about the next person in a negative way is the wrong way to be.

My father taught me you have to believe in yourself and run on your own track.

In America we tell our parents to bring their child home and put him or her in a crib; as they get older, children sleep in they own room not in Mom and Dad's room. What are we training them for? It's independence, because that's what being empowered is all about.

Being able to take care of myself is something that my mom really instilled in me.

All I need is my brains, my eyes and my personality, for better or for worse.