Thomas Merton Quotes

When we're growing up there are all sorts of people telling us what to do when really what we need is space to work out who to be.

People have to learn who they are - you can't have somebody else telling you who you are.

You just get out there and be what you want to be. That's part of evolving and part of staying true to yourself - part of remaining alive in a real authentic, long-term sense creatively: not listening to what other people tell you to be.

The day you realize you don't have to make sense to anyone is the day you start to make sense to you.

Know thyself' was written over the portal of the antique world. Over the portal of the new world, 'Be thyself' shall be written.

The function of education is to help you from childhood not to imitate anybody, but be yourself all the time.

You should embrace who you are, and make the best person that you can be, not what somebody else wants you to be.

At which point should we let go and do what we want to do, and when should we submit to rules? Coming to terms with our true natures and who we really are has always been a fascination to humans. I know it fascinates me.

I didn't start to work until I realized what it was I had to offer. I stopped imitating performers I admired and started just being myself.

I'm still very much Kate.

I have stepped off the relationship scene to come to terms with myself. I have spent most of my adult life being 'someone's girlfriend', and now I am happy being single.

I'm not really on a mission to tell anybody anything. I'd rather be figured out.

I choose to express myself.

You're always trying to balance your understanding of who you are and what you need, and your longing and imaginings of freedom.

I knew that I had to find my own voice, both figuratively and literally.

I don't like work... but I like what is in work - the chance to find yourself. Your own reality - for yourself, not for others - which no other man can ever know.

I'm going to do what I want to do. I'm going to be who I really am. I'm going to figure out what that is.

For me, embracing my own power is about embracing my right to be an individual.

When you don't inherit an identity you have to define it on your own.

I had no idea that being your authentic self could make me as rich as I've become. If I had, I'd have done it a lot earlier.

I invented myself.

I think I've established my own identity here at Brandeis.

The beauty of knowing yourself is nobody else has to.

I think what my 42 years of life has given me is just how important it is to live your own life.

I've been able to define who I am and my brother is able to do his thing.