Tara Westover Quotes

Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.

You have a right to say no. Most of us have very weak and flaccid 'no' muscles. We feel guilty for saying no. We get ostracized and challenged for saying no, so we forget it's our choice. Your 'no' muscle has to be built up to get to a place where you can say, 'I don't care if that's what you want. I don't want that. No.'

The best thing I ever did in my life was to ask, 'Do I like everybody?' And the answer was, 'No.' So why should everybody like me? If people are against me, so what? I'm against them too.

I'm not trying to keep anybody happy.

I don't make demands. I don't tell you how it should be. I'll give you options, and it's up to you to select or throw 'em away. That should be the headline: If you're insecure, don't call.

I struggled with feeling confident for a long time, but I think it's important to be strong and not compromise for anyone or a relationship - I'm drawn to that.

I've been accused of being too flexible, too willing to mold myself to men, and that's something I'm constantly working on.

I do everything as honestly as I can. I give all I have to give. But I don't let people get in my way.

I was taught to be demure, so it was harder for me to learn how to stand up for myself and go, 'What do I want? What are my desires?'

Don't change who you are and it's okay to say no.

No one is going to tell me I'm too small to do whatever, to do anything. That's not up to them, and I'll never give anyone that power to say that.

I'm grateful to be of use. I will not be misused or abused, but I will be of use to anybody.

I do not need to love you to prove that I love myself!!

I am not the means to any end others may wish to accomplish. I am not a tool for their use. I am not a servant of their needs. I am not a bandage for their wounds, I am not a sacrifice on their altars.

I want to be intentional about my freedom - in choosing it, honoring it, and protecting it. One of the best feelings I know is feeling truly free.

I've learned not to let people judge me in how I want to live my life. Every single woman is an individual, and there's no one path. You just have to take the path that you think is right for you.

I would endeavour to deserve my life, Sire.

I'm in control of myself. I take yes or no from no one.

Don't let other people tell you what you want.

Unjust. How many times I've used that word, scolded myself with it. All I mean by it now is that I don't have the final courage to say that I refuse to preside over violations against myself, and to hell with justice.

Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.

It's what I tell my daughters: Know that your birthright is to shine your light, and don't let anybody deny you of that right. Take responsibility for your life.

I'm at peace with myself. The main thing is not letting people dictate what I do or what I am.

I am a strong woman with or without this other person, with or without this job, and with or without these tight pants.

We can trust ourselves to know when our boundaries are being violated.