Carrie Mae Weems Quotes

Googling yourself is like staring at a flame and then putting your hand in it.

It's asking that never-ending question, 'Who am I?' which motivates me and takes me on a constant journey of self-discovery that teaches me so much. Will Everest make me more cautious? In reality, probably not.

Anyone who has problems, or worries, anyone who laughs and cries, anyone who feels can write. It's only talking on paper... talking about the things that matter to us.

I am still a person with a sense of superficiality that I'm trying to challenge.

You know more about me than I do about myself, that's probably true.

I feel like I'm a much better person when I'm developing my imagination and my innocence and my vulnerability. I like that version of me better than the version where I'm just working on my analytical mind.

I feel like we're attracted to paths in life that force us to look at our weaknesses or deficiencies as human beings. Not to get all deep on you, but that's how I feel.

It's a little dangerous for me to get outside myself and think about how I want people to see me.

What we want in students is creativity and a willingness to fail. I always say to students, 'If you've never at some point stayed up all night talking to your new boyfriend about the meaning of life instead of preparing for the test, then you're not really an intellectual.'

I have written a memoir here and there, and that takes its own form of selfishness and courage. However, generally speaking, I have no interest in writing about my own life or intruding in the privacy of those around me.

There is no such thing as an unreasonable question, or a silly question, or a frivolous question, or a waste-of-time question. It's your life, and you've got to get these answers.

It's not an epitaph. I felt I could look back at my life and get a good story out of it. It's a picture of somebody trying to figure things out. I'm not trying to create some impression about myself. That doesn't interest me.

If you write something that's personal, there's going to be elements of yourself in it.

I guess I didn't feel confident enough to be searching in a big public way. I was very content at the time to toil in obscurity on things that I thought might point me in certain directions or teach me certain things - not knowing what that would be.

It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves.

Seeing what happens when you rip yourself open is what your job is all about.

The older I've gotten, the more I've learned that I have to open myself up to all opportunities. Maybe I'll get burned and not meet the right people, but I won't know until I do it.

I'm putting myself out there in a way I don't know if I ever have before.

I like to think I'm multi-faceted. Actually, my favorite roles are roles like in 'Far from Heaven.' Y'know. Soft people. Loving people.

Know thyself? If I knew myself I would run away.

I do struggle with the fact that I don't have all the answers.

I'm willing to look my own nightmare on film, but if it endangers my life, then I'm willing to put my life before movies.

In my books I might hold the mirror to my own face. If others would like to borrow the mirror, they're welcome. The books aren't there to accuse others - merely to raise issues and keep the debates alive.

Experimenting with your own life is the most fundamental medium we have.

Write books only if you are going to say in them the things you would never dare confide to anyone.