Lauren Oliver Quotes

I refuse to act the way someone expects me to.

I was not born to be forced.

I think the way I want to think. I live the way I want to live.

I'm going to be me as I am, and you can beat me or jail me or even kill me, but I'm not going to be what you want me to be.

Daddy says the world is a drum tight and hard and I told him I'm gonna beat out my own rhythm.

I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else's whim or to someone else's ignorance.

I resent limitations. I'm going to be this way for a while.

When I was younger I was trying to do what I wanted to do, not what the game wanted me to do.

I think people should do whatever they want to do. That's the point. Why should you care what other people think or say? You're not living in their pocket.

I would never wear anything because someone told me to.

Because you are women, people will force their thinking on you, their boundaries on you. They will tell you how to dress, how to behave, who you can meet and where you can go. Don't live in the shadows of people's judgement. Make your own choices in the light of your own wisdom.

No one can ban me or stop me from acting.

Always be yourself and rebel against what people tell you should be and be whatever you want to.

No rebellious heart is ever at ease with paths established by others.

I am doing what I'm doing, and if you don't like it, don't go see it.

Love means each person is free to follow his or her own heart.

I haven't even had a life I could call my own, and you're ready to slot me into the grand design. Well, I don't think I want to go. I want to be my own design.

In true democracy every man and woman is taught to think for himself or herself.

I leave you free to be yourself: to think your thoughts, indulge your tastes, follow your inclinations, behave in ways that you decide are to your liking.

Whether it’s your taste in clothing, your needs in a relationship, or what you do for a living—don’t let anyone else be at the controls. Define yourself.

I was not designed to be forced. I will breathe after my own fashion. Let us see who is the strongest.

Be an independent thinker at all times, and ignore anyone who attempts to define you in a limiting way.

Don't live your life to please other people.

The minute I was told what to do at any age, I did the opposite. Hopefully I'll do that for the rest of my life.

To refrain from imitation is the best revenge.