“Perhaps it's impossible to wear an identity without becoming what you pretend to be.”

“People with healthy self-esteem do not need to create pretend identities.”

Bell Hooks (1952) American author, feminist, and social activist

“We hear a lot about identity theft when someone takes your wallet and pretends to be you and uses your credit cards. But the more serious identity theft is to get swallowed up in other people's definition of you.”

Stephen R. Covey (1932–2012) American educator, author, businessman and motivational speaker

“There is a beautiful transparency to honest disciples who never wear a false face and do not pretend to be anything but who they are.”

Brennan Manning (1934–2013) writer, American Roman Catholic priest and United States Marine

“Learning and enjoyment are the secret to a fulfilled life. Learning without enjoyment wears you down, enjoyment without learning dulls you.”

Richard David Precht (1964) German philosopher and author

“Without dignity, identity is erased.”

Laura Hillenbrand book Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

“you shall above all things be glad and young
For if you're young, whatever life you wear

it will become you; and if you are glad
whatever's living will yourself become.”

E.E. Cummings (1894–1962) American poet

“In Mexico people wear hummingbird amulets around their necks to show they are searching for love. Here people pretend that they aren’t. Searching.”

Francesca Lia Block (1962) American children's writer

“He often felt that too many people lived their lives acting and pretending, wearing masks and losing themselves in the process.”

Nicholas Sparks book The Choice

“What deep wounds ever closed without a scar?
The hearts bleed longest, and heals but to wear
That which disfigures it.”

George Gordon Byron (1788–1824) English poet and a leading figure in the Romantic movement