Bell Hooks Quotes

I am not someone who throws around the word 'self-esteem.' It is a fictional description.

I feel like I have a healthy self-esteem.

Self-esteem is made up primarily of two things: feeling lovable and feeling capable.

Whether at work, at home or in public, we have been trained to believe that who we are at the core of our being is often unacceptable. As a result, we work diligently to live up to - and sometimes down to - what others have made us out to be, whether or not it is an accurate reflection of who we are.

I'm not worried any more about changing people's view of me.

I care what people think, but that doesn't change what I say. I am who I am.

I wouldn't change myself, even if I could. I like myself. And the minute you're not true to yourself, you're in trouble.

I can look at myself in the mirror, and I can be proud.

I see no reason to hide who I am or what I look like.

Lots of us when we're children believe 'oh well, if the world knew us as we really are, they'd know what wonderful, clever, brilliant, charming people we really are.'

You can't convince someone else - whether it's a potential employer, a loan officer at the car dealership, or someone you've been crushing on - that you're amazing and terrific if you don't actually think you are.

It's not hard to keep up the image we chose. It's not hard to stay yourselves.

It's so important for women to say to other women, 'I like myself how I am.' But it's hard because in your heart of hearts you are thinking, 'I don't really.' But you have to learn to say it. Imagine what a world it would be if people felt good about themselves the whole time.

Ego is good.

You look just like you!

There's something to be said for embracing who you are.

I'm not impersonating anybody. I'm perfectly satisfied with what I am.

I'm not tired of who I am. That would be sad!

You must never lower yourself to being a person you don't like.

I didn't take myself seriously for a long time.

If you feel good about yourself on the inside, that's gonna show to people. I don't think it's all about makeup and hair and how you dress. I think it's more of an inner thing and how you feel about yourself and that's ultimately what will shine through no matter what.

I've learned to embrace my curves, this is me.

When someone tells me that I'm not real, I say to them, 'Well, what about me isn't real?' I have not changed my figure. This is who I am.

I was raised by a woman who was her true and authentic self. So I feel like it's very important to put on for people who aren't that confident or people who don't realize the value in self-love.

I have read a lot about what I am and who I am: 'mini,' a copy, simply 'more of the same.' Dear delegates, I stand before you as I am and as life made me and I am proud of that.