Herbert Read Quotes

What does it mean to be an individual? What does it mean to flourish?

My father raised me to think independently and follow my own path in life.

I always had that yearning, that hunger, to one day be independent and be my own person and build my own world. The most fulfilling thing is to live a life where you have freedom.

All greatness of character is dependent on individuality.

As a southern woman, we often define ourselves by who we are with. But I wanted my life to be built differently.

My happiness is not dependent on others; it comes from within. Spiritual growth in a person is never encouraged, but it is important. I don't know why people want to judge others instead of doing their own thing. I firmly feel that I don't need to follow or live according to other people's rules. I like living life the way I want to.

I think that's important for all ages, to not be afraid of being an individual. I grew up on my own, as an only child, so early on I think I was quite capable of making decisions by myself and being an individual.

I'm responsible for what I am and what I want to be. I'm not trying to live by another's standards.

Even though you're married, you're still individuals. You still have to grow and nurture your individuality.

The spirit of self-help is the root of all genuine growth in the individual.

People tell you the world looks a certain way. Parents tell you how to think. Schools tell you how to think. TV. Religion. And then at a certain point, if you're lucky, you realize you can make up your own mind. Nobody sets the rules but you. You can design your own life.

One of mom's greatest acts of generosity was that she trained me to be defiant. Her great gift to me was encouraging me to be the person that I wanted to be, not the one that she and my father wished I was.

Life is about making your own happiness - and living by your own rules.

I have great friends around me that are positive and I think that's the key to life is making your own path. Set your own rules because there is no set rule, there is no set look, there is no set anything. You make your own rules in your life. You make your own decisions.

Taking charge of your own learning is a part of taking charge of your life, which is the sine qua non in becoming an integrated person.

My life choices are not supposed to be the gateway to somebody else's. That's my journey.

No One Is Alone by Stephen Sondheim is all about thinking for yourself and being your own person.

What don't I want to learn? I have how-to books, history, nature. Ain't nobody here saying, 'You'd better learn this.' But I still think I've got a head on my shoulders, and it pleases me.

You need to write on your own and produce your own life.

It was important to me and, I think, important to my parents that I be on my own and figure things out on my own and kind of forge my own path, and I'm really grateful for that.

Those of us who submitted or surrendered our ideas and dreams and identities to the 'leaders' must take back our rights, our identities, our responsibilities.

Always take your own path. And do what feels right for you.

I'm not doing anything for anybody. I'm doing what I do.

My life is my life, and I'll live it.

I never had a role model. I ended up wanting to be the best version of myself.