Quotes about yourself
page 20

“So it's not about what you do. It can't be, can it? It has to be about how you are, how you love, how you treat yourself and those around you, and that's where I get eaten up.”

Nick Hornby book Juliet, Naked

Source: Juliet, Naked

Love

“that's the funny thing about mazes: what's baffling on the ground begins to makes sense when you can begin to rise above it, the better to understand your history and fix yourself". (p. 717)”

Wally Lamb (1950) american novelist

Source: The Hour I First Believed

History, Understanding, Sense

“The little things, I can obey. The big things—how we think, what we value—those you must choose yourself. You can't let anyone—or any society—determine those for you.”

Mitch Albom Tuesdays with Morrie

Source: Tuesdays with Morrie

Thinking

“It takes away a lot of the thrill of killing yourself when people are looking for you and you're disappointing them, because it is a lot of fun when you're out there killing yourself.”

Anthony Kiedis book Scar Tissue

Source: Scar Tissue

People, Disappointment

“What's really important here," I whispered loudly to myself,"is not the big things other people have thought up, but the small things you, yourself have”

Haruki Murakami book Sputnik Sweetheart

Source: Sputnik Sweetheart

People

“Clearing out all your misery gets you out of the way. You cease being an obstacle, not only to yourself but to anyone else. Only then are you free to serve and enjoy other people.”

Elizabeth Gilbert book Eat, Pray, Love

Source: Eat, Pray, Love

People, Way

“You look at yourself and you accept yourself for who you are, and once you accept yourself for who you are you become a better person.”

Oprah Winfrey (1954) American businesswoman, talk show host, actress, producer, and philanthropist

Personality

“Imagine a world that seemed so much bigger than you. Imagine waking up one morning and finding a piece of yourself you didn't even know existed.”

Jodi Picoult book Nineteen Minutes

Source: Nineteen Minutes

World, Imagination

“Knowing yourself lets you understand others.”

Jenny Holzer (1950) American conceptual artist

Understanding

“Also, I could finally sleep. And this was the real gift, because when you cannot sleep, you cannot get yourself out of the ditch--there's not a chance.”

Elizabeth Gilbert book Eat, Pray, Love

Source: Eat, Pray, Love

Sleep, Chance

“Demons don't understand human hearts, not well. They see through a distorted glass and show you what you desire, but warped and wrong. Use that wrongness to push yourself out of the dream. Life is loss, Alexander, but it's better than this.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Heavenly Fire

Source: City of Heavenly Fire

Life, Dreams, Understanding, Loss

“He looks at you like you're someone he's never met before, much less someone he once loved with high passion. The irony is, you can hardly blame him. I mean, check yourself out. You're a pathetic mess, unrecognizable even to your own eyes.”

Elizabeth Gilbert book Eat, Pray, Love

Source: Eat, Pray, Love

Love, Passion

“Take a drink because you pity yourself, and then the drink pities you and has a drink, and then two good drinks get together and that calls for drinks all around.”

H. Beam Piper book Little Fuzzy

Source: Little Fuzzy

Drink

“It’s hard to throw away history. It was like you were throwing away a part of yourself.”

Jenny Han (1980) American writer

Source: The Summer I Turned Pretty

History, Parting

“Know this. I think you could be special if you only thought there was anything special about yourself.”

Pat Conroy (1945–2016) American novelist

Source: My Losing Season: A Memoir

Thinking

“There are people who dislike you because you do not dislike yourself.”

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (1977) Nigerian writer

People

“Why are you unhappy?
Because 99.9 per cent
Of everything you think,
And of everything you do,
Is for yourself —
And there isn't one.”

Wei Wu Wei (1895–1986) writer

Part One : The Crossroads, p. 7
Ask the Awakened: the Negative Way (1963)

Thinking

“Maybe that was why she couldn't cry, she realized, staring dry-eyed at the ceiling. Because what was the point in crying when there was no one there to comfort you? And what was worse, when you couldn't even comfort yourself?”

Cassandra Clare book City of Glass

Source: City of Glass

Cry

“Practice sharing the fullness of your being, your best self, your enthusiasm, your vitality, your spirit, your trust, your openness, above all, your presence. Share it with yourself, with your family, with the world.”

Jon Kabat-Zinn (1944) American academic

Source: Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life

World, Family

“It's not fun to keep secrets, but sometimes you have to do it to protect yourself. And to protect people around you. - Meredith, p112”

Sara Shepard (1973) Author

Source: Stunning

People, Secret

“Arm yourself, my heart: the thing that you must do is fearful, yet inevitable.”

Euripidés (-480–-406 BC) ancient Athenian playwright

Source: Medea and Other Plays: Medea / Alcestis / The Children of Heracles / Hippolytus

Fear, Heart, Deep

“Don't beat yourself up over what you could have or should have done. The past is gone. Move on to the future.”

Richelle Mead Blood Promise

Source: Blood Promise

Past, Future, Motivational

“You wanted to look at life for yourself — but you were not allowed; you were punished for your wish. You were ground in the very mill of the conventional!”

Henry James book The Portrait of a Lady

Source: The Portrait of a Lady (1881), Ch. LIV.

Life

“So, Beav, tell me about yourself."
"I'm Blue."
"Sweetheart, if I had your dubious taste in men, I wouldn't be too happy, either."
"My name is Blue. Blue Bailey.”

Susan Elizabeth Phillips (1948) American writer

Source: Natural Born Charmer

Men, Happiness

“You are cold, while you yourself fan flames.”

Leopold von Sacher-Masoch book Venus in Furs

Source: Venus in Furs

“How can you be lonely? You've got yourself, haven't you? If you ever lose yourself, then you'll really be lonely…”

Joseph Delaney (1945) British writer

Source: Revenge of the Witch

“As life goes on it becomes tiring to keep up the character you invented for yourself, and so you relapse into individuality and become more like yourself everyday.”

Agatha Christie (1890–1976) English mystery and detective writer

Source: An Autobiography

Life

“You fixed yourself. You didn’t need me.”

“No, Sydney.” My voice was ragged. “I do need you. You have no idea how much I need you.”

Richelle Mead book The Fiery Heart

Source: The Fiery Heart

Idea

“All your life, other people will try to take your accomplishments away from you. Don't you take it away from yourself.”

Michael Crichton book The Lost World

Source: The Lost World

Life, People

“You know when you're sitting on a chair and you lean back so you're just on two legs and you lean too far so you almost fall over but at the last second you catch yourself? I feel like that all the time…”

Steven Wright (1955) American actor and author

Feeling, Time

“One day, perhaps, you will see for yourself that regrets are as nothing. The value lies in how they are answered.”

Steven Erikson book House of Chains

Source: House of Chains

“Don't wrench your shoulder out of its socket trying to pat yourself on the back," Beldin said sourly.”

David Eddings (1931–2009) American novelist

Source: The Seeress of Kell

“Just keep asking yourself: What would Jesus not do?”

Chuck Palahniuk book Choke

Source: Choke

“Books mean all possibilities. They mean moving out of yourself, losing yourself, dying of thirst and living to your full. They mean everything.”

Ali Smith (1962) Scottish writer

Books

“You’re only responsible for yourself, Jess. And that’s the only person you can control. Other people will either get it or they won’t but you can’t define yourself by their opinions.”

Susan Mallery (1950) American author

Source: Sweet Trouble

People, Personality

“… lend your ears to music, open your eyes to painting, and … stop thinking! Just ask yourself whether the work has enabled you to “walk about” into a hitherto unknown world. If the answer is yes, what more do you want?”

Wassily Kandinsky (1866–1944) Russian painter

World, Music, Thinking, Painting

“Life, with its rules, its obligations, and its freedoms, is like a sonnet: You're given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. - Mrs. Whatsit”

Madeleine L'Engle book A Wrinkle in Time

Source: A Wrinkle in Time

Life, Freedom

“You wanted to think of yourself as someone who did these kinds of things.
                 You wanted to be in love
                             and he happened to get in the way.”

Richard Siken (1967) American poet

Source: Crush

Love, Way, Thinking

“Seriously,” Shane said, “this kind of is the worst situation we’ve ever been in, right?”
“Speak for yourself,” Michael said. “I got myself killed last year. Twice.”
“Oh yeah. You’re right—last year really sucked for you.”

Rachel Caine (1962) American writer

Source: Kiss of Death

“Be about ten times more magnanimous than you believe yourself capable of. Your life will be a hundred times better for it.”

Cheryl Strayed (1968) author, memoirist, blogger

Life, Time

“When in doubt, make a fool of yourself. There is a microscopically thin line between being brilliantly creative and acting like the most gigantic idiot on earth. So what the hell, leap.”

Cynthia Heimel (1947–2018) American writer

"Lower Manhattan Survival Tactics" in The Village Voice (1983)

Fools, Hell

“You hope Raphael survives this?" Luke said."Come on- how many people has he killed?
Magnus turned cold eyes on him. "Who among us has bloodless hands? What did you do, Lucian Graymark, to gain yourself a pack- two packs- of werewolves?”

Cassandra Clare book City of Heavenly Fire

Source: City of Heavenly Fire

People, Hope

“I lock eyes with my reflection and don’t look away. The day you look away you start to lose yourself. I’m never going to lose myself. You are what you are. Deal with it or change.”

Karen Marie Moning (1964) author

Source: Iced

Change

“If you hold back on the emotions--if you don't allow yourself to go all the way through them--you can never get to being detached, you're too busy being afraid.”

Mitch Albom Tuesdays with Morrie

Source: Tuesdays with Morrie

Way, Business

“Be strict with yourself but least reproachful of others and complaint is kept afar.”

Confucius (-551–-479 BC) Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher

Source: The Analects

“We had and incident. I took care of it."
"Really." Jace's voice dripped sarcasm. "Do you even know how to use that knife, Clarissa? Without poking a hole in yourself or any innocent bystanders?”

Cassandra Clare book City of Ashes

Source: City of Ashes

“Commit yourself to constant improvement. Commit yourself to quality. Be persistent, persistent, persistent… and have a grateful heart!”

H. Jackson Brown, Jr. (1940) American writer

Heart

“Who gets to be best-liked in any community? Who is the most trusted? Why, the man who does the dirty job, of course, and does it with a smile. The man who does the job you couldn't bring yourself to do.”

Stephen King book The Stand

Source: The Stand

Smile, Communication

“Love only grows by sharing. You can only have more for yourself by giving it away to others.”

Brian Tracy (1944) American motivational speaker and writer

Love

“The only two important things in life are real love and being at peace with yourself.”

Jonathan Carroll book Sleeping in Flame

Source: Sleeping in Flame

Love, Life, Peace

“Try not to sing too many sad songs for yourself. The universe already hates you. Self-pity isn't going to help.”

Richard Kadrey (1957) San Francisco-based novelist, freelance writer, and photographer

Source: Sandman Slim

Hate, Sadness, Universe, Singing

“Go out and do something. It isn’t your room that’s a prison, it’s yourself.”

Sylvia Plath (1932–1963) American poet, novelist and short story writer

“If you write with passion in your own style, you will make a place for yourself”

Dean Koontz (1945) American author

Passion

“My mother told me… if you're going to get anywhere, you're going to have to do it yourself, because no one is going to do it for you.”

Lance Armstrong book It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

Source: It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

“I felt how important the simplest things were, like feeling proud, finding something funny, stretching yourself, retreating into yourself.”

Banana Yoshimoto book The Lake

Source: The Lake

Feeling

“Change the changeable, accept the unchangeable, and remove yourself from the unacceptable.”

Denis Waitley (1933) American writer

Change, For Team

Jodi Picoult book Nineteen Minutes

Source: Nineteen Minutes

Reality

“Whatever you say, old boy. Just look after yourself. And whatever you do, don't swallow the gum!”

Anthony Horowitz book Skeleton Key

Source: Skeleton Key

Boy

“If you let the world in, you open yourself up to the world. Even if the world doesn't know that you're there.”

David Levithan (1972) American author and editor

Source: Two Boys Kissing

World

“It is by not always thinking of yourself, if you can manage it, that you might somehow be happy. Until you can make room in your life for someone as important to you as yourself, you will always be searching and lost….”

Richard Bach (1936) American spiritual writer

Life, Happiness, Search, Thinking

“Ask yourself: What did I eat for breakfast today? What did I eat for dinner last night? You see how fast reality fades away?”

Chuck Palahniuk book Rant

Source: Rant

Reality, Night

“… They cannot escape their history any more than you yourself can lose your shadow.”

Zadie Smith book White Teeth

Variant: Because this is the other thing about immigrants: they cannot escape their history any more than you yourself can lose your shadow.
Source: White Teeth (2000)

History

“J’aurais dû être plus gentille—I should have been more kind. That is something a person will never regret. You will never say to yourself when you are old, Ah, I wish I was not good to that person. You will never think that.”

Khaled Hosseini book And the Mountains Echoed

Source: And the Mountains Echoed

Thinking, Personality

“To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful.. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking”

Agnes de Mille (1905–1993) American dancer and choreographer

Beauty, Dance, Powerful

“Meditation is the only intentional, systematic human activity which at bottom is about not trying to improve yourself or get anywhere else, but simply to realize where you already are.”

Jon Kabat-Zinn (1944) American academic

Source: Wherever You Go, There You Are

“If you can get yourself to read 30 minutes a day, you're going to double your income every year.”

Brian Tracy (1944) American motivational speaker and writer

Reading

“Nobody wanted your dance,
Nobody wanted your strange glitter, your floundering
Drowning life and your effort to save yourself,
Treading water, dancing the dark turmoil,
Looking for something to give.”

Ted Hughes Birthday Letters

Source: Birthday Letters

Life, Effort, Water, Dance

“Give yourself freedom to try out new things
Don't be so set in your ways that you can't grow.”

Paulo Coelho book The Alchemist

Source: The Alchemist

Way, Freedom

“If you have the guts to be yourself, other people'll pay your price.”

John Updike book Rabbit, Run

Source: Rabbit, Run

“The better you learn to take care of yourself, the less you settle for being around people who can't or won't treat you as well as you're accustomed.”

Curtis Sittenfeld (1975) Novelist, short story writer

People, Learning

“To deal with things knowledge of things is needed. To deal with
people, you need insight, sympathy. To deal with yourself, you need
nothing. Be what you are--conscious being--and don't stray away from
yourself.”

Nisargadatta Maharaj (1897–1981) Indian guru

Source: I Am That: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj

People, Knowledge

“The worst thing you can do is censor yourself as the pencil hits the paper. You must not edit until you get it all on paper. If you can put everything down, stream-of-consciousness, you'll do yourself a service.”

Stephen Sondheim (1930) American composer and lyricist

“You can get help from teachers, but you are going to have to learn a lot by yourself, sitting alone in a room.”

Dr. Seuss (1904–1991) American children's writer and illustrator, co-founder of Beginner Books

On becoming a writer, NY Times (May 21, 1986)

Learning, Teachers, Help

“When you make a world tolerable for yourself, you make a world tolerable for others.”

Anaïs Nin (1903–1977) writer of novels, short stories, and erotica

February 1954 The Diary of Anaïs Nin, Vol. 5 as quoted in Woman as Writer (1978) by Jeannette L. Webber and Joan Grumman, p. 38
Diary entries (1914 - 1974)
Context: The artist is the only one who knows that the world is a subjective creation, that there is a choice to be made, a selection of elements. It is a materialization, an incarnation of his inner world. Then he hopes to attract others into it. He hopes to impose his particular vision and share it with others. And when the second stage is not reached, the brave artist continues nevertheless. The few moments of communion with the world are worth the pain, for it is a world for others, an inheritance for others, a gift to others, in the end. When you make a world tolerable for yourself, you make a world tolerable for others.
We also write to heighten our own awareness of life. We write to lure and enchant and console others. We write to serenade our lovers. We write to taste life twice, in the moment, and in retrospection. We write, like Proust, to render all of it eternal, and to persuade ourselves that it is eternal. We write to be able to transcend our life, to reach beyond it. We write to teach ourselves to speak with others, to record the journey into the labyrinth. We write to expand our world when we feel strangled, or constricted, or lonely. We write as the birds sing, as the primitives dance their rituals. If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don't write, because our culture has no use for it. When I don't write, I feel my world shrinking. I feel I am in a prison. I feel I lose my fire and my color. It should be a necessity, as the sea needs to heave, and I call it breathing.

World

“Why limit yourself to just one best friend?”

Lisi Harrison (1970) Canadian writer