98 Inspiring Be Yourself Quotes

In a world that often promotes conformity, embracing our true selves can feel both liberating and daunting. It's easy to get lost in the noise of external expectations and social norms, yet the power of authenticity lies in the courage to stand firm in who we truly are. To inspire you on this journey of self-discovery and empowerment, we have curated a collection of the top 98 "Be Yourself" quotes. These heartfelt words of wisdom serve as a gentle reminder that individuality is a gift to be cherished, and embracing your unique essence is the key to living a fulfilling life. Whether you're seeking motivation or reassurance, these quotes are here to uplift and inspire your most genuine self.

1. “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” - Bernard M. Baruch

2. “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

3. “Do your own thing on your own terms and get what you came here for” - Oliver James

4. “Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.” - Judy Garland

5. “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” - Marilyn Monroe

6. “Make the most of yourself....for that is all there is of you.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

7. “Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life, but define yourself.” - Harvey Fierstein

8. “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.(Popular misquote of "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.")” - Maya Angelou

9. “The easiest thing to be in the world is you. The most difficult thing to be is what other people want you to be. Don't let them put you in that position.” - Leo Buscaglia

10. “Let yourself be drawn by the stronger pull of that which you truly love.” - Rumi

11. “When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.” - Lao Tzu

12. “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost.” - Martha Graham

13. “If you believe in peace, act peacefully; if you believe in love, acting lovingly; if you believe every which way, then act every which way, that's perfectly valid - but don't go out trying to sell your beliefs to the system. You end up contradicting what you profess to believe in, and you set a bum example. If you want to change the world, change yourself.” - Tom Robbins

14. “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde

15. “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” - Dolly Parton

16. “Never complain, never explain. Resist the temptation to defend yourself or make excuses.” - Brian Tracy

17. “Decide what you want to be....Pay the Price ...And be what you want to be.” - John A. Widtsoe

18. “About all you can do in life is be who you are. Some people will love you for you. Most will love you for what you can do for them, and some won't like you at all.” - Rita Mae Brown

19. “Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love – for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you from misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.” - Max Ehrmann

20. “You are not stuck where you are unless you decide to be.” - Wayne W. Dyer

21. “I never said to be like me, I say be yourself and make a difference.” - Marilyn Manson

22. “Don't compromise yourself - you're all you have.” - John Grisham

23. “If you end up with a boring miserable life because you listened to your mom, your dad, your teacher, your priest, or some guy on television telling you how to do your shit, then you deserve it.” - Frank Zappa

24. “Don't compromise yourself. You're all you've got.” - Janis Joplin

25. “The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.” - Lao Tzu

26. “Every morning when I wake up, I experience an exquisite joy —the joy of being Salvador Dalí— and I ask myself in rapture: What wonderful things is this Salvador Dalí going to accomplish today?” - Salvador Dali

27. “Be yourself, don't take anything from anyone, and never let them take you alive.” - Gerard Way

28. “We must not allow other people’s limited perceptions to define us.” - Virginia Satir

29. “Follow your inner moonlight; don't hide the madness.” - Allen Ginsberg

30. “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

31. “A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself-and especially to feel, or not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at any moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is.” - Jim Morrison

32. “Best be yourself, imperial, plain, and true.” - Robert Browning

33. “Keep thinking back about what Mum said about being real and the Velveteen Rabbit book (though frankly have had enough trouble with rabbits in this particular house). My favorite book, she claims of which I have no memory was about how little kids get one toy that they love more than all the others, and even when its fur has been rubbed off, and it's gone saggy with bits missing, the little child still thinks it's the most beautiful toy in the world, and can't bear to be parted from it.That's how it works, when people really love each other, Mum whispered on the way out in the Debenhams lift, as if she was confessing some hideous and embarrassing secret. But, the thing is, darling, it doesn't happen to ones who have sharp edges, or break if they get dropped, or ones made of silly synthetic stuff that doesn't last. You have to be brave and let the other person know who you are and what you feel.” - Helen Fielding

34. “Amid a world of noisy, shallow actors it is noble to stand aside and say, 'I will simply be.” - Henry David Thoreau

35. “You're crackers.”“Marvelous isn't it? I find it's the only way to be.” - Paul Magrs

36. “Before you can be anything, you have to be yourself. That's the hardest thing to find.” - E.L. Konigsburg

37. “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” - Maya Angelou

38. “You cannot change what you are, only what you do.” - Philip Pullman

39. “Never dull your shine for somebody else.” - Tyra Banks

40. “You should always aim to be your own mouse, Lieam. In fact...you already are. You are not so quick to jump into danger as Saxon and not as pensive of mind as Kenzie. They rely on each other too much. Saxon knows he can afford to be reckless since Kenzie acts as his conscience. And Kenzie can linger in his thoughts and plans, because he knows Saxon can defend him. I tested Kenzie earlier. I wanted to see if he would be swayed by my advice. It took Saxon's coaxing to make up the greyfur's mind. Be compleete with in yourself young redfur...you will never disappoint. Even in solitude.” - David Petersen

41. “Be yourself. Above all, let who you are, what you are, what you believe, shine through every sentence you write, every piece you finish.” - John Jakes

42. “Just be yourself, there is no one better.” - Taylor Swift

43. “To be one's self, and unafraid whether right or wrong, is more admirable than the easy cowardice of surrender to conformity.” - Irving Wallace

44. “Let others determine your worth and you're already lost, because no one wants people worth more than themselves.” - Peter V. Brett

45. “Oh, never mind the fashion. When one has a style of one's own, it is always twenty times better.” - Margaret Oliphant

46. “Don't you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can't be exactly who you are.” - Lady Gaga

47. “I will not hide my tastes or aversions. I will so trust that what is deep is holy, that I will do strongly before the sun and moon whatever only rejoices me, and the heart appoints” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

48. “Just because they disagree, doesn't mean you ain't right.” - Toba Beta

49. “One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility” - Eleanor Roosevelt

50. “‎Do not allow people to dim your shine because they are blinded. Tell them to put on some sunglasses, cuz we were born this way bitch!” - Lady Gaga

51. “What you say and how you look does not define who you are,because some of the most beautiful people do the ugliest things.You owe it to the people who hate you, who disrespect you and who put you down,because they’re the ones who have made you who you are today,for keeping your head up and not breaking down when they want you to.” - Amber Ward

52. “You can't be yourself within jealousy.” - Toba Beta

53. “The more you try to crush your true nature, the more it will control you. Be what you are. No one who really loves you will stop.” - Cassandra Clare

54. “My best advice is to be yourself. Unless you’re psychotic, then you might want to try a different tactic.” - Gwen Hayes

55. “Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successfull personality and duplicate it.” - Bruce Lee

56. “I find the best way to love someone is not to change them, but instead, help them reveal the greatest version of themselves.” - Steve Maraboli

57. “Don't wish to be normal. Wish to be yourself. To the hilt. Find out what you're best at, and develop it, and hopscotch your weaknesses. Wish to be great at whatever you are.” - Lois McMaster Bujold

58. “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

59. “Don't care what people sayJust follow your own wayDon't give up and use the chanceTo return to innocence.That's not the beginning of the endThat's the return to yourselfThe return to innocence.” - Enigma

60. “Control Your Own Destiny or Someone Else Will” - Jack Welch

61. “You are you. Now, isn't that pleasant?” - Dr. Seuss

62. “Everyone has a sense of humor. If you don't laugh at jokes, you probably laugh at opinions.” - Criss Jami

63. “There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.” - Steve Maraboli

64. “The mirror is the worst judge of true beauty” - Sophia Nam

65. “Imitation is suicide.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

66. “Never allow anyone to define you! Just be you!” - Chrys Phillips

67. “If you think you’re good people, and if you are, how would you know? Is it something you always knew? Or was it something you found? Some people are naturally good at it […]. Is it worth trying to be something you’re not? Just because it’s right?” - Jen Wang

68. “Be yourself. Be true to that, to your heart. Patience. See what happens if you step back instead of bounding forward.” - Nora Roberts

69. “The pressures on gay teens can be overwhelming--to keep secrets, tell lies, deny who you are, and try to be who you're not. Remember: you are special and worth being cared about, loved, and accepted just as you are. Never, ever let anyone convince you otherwise.” - Alex Sanchez

70. “Shine bright, be yourself.” - Stephen Richards

71. “...it’s just another one of those things I don’t understand: everyone impresses upon you how unique you are, encouraging you to cultivate your individuality while at the same time trying to squish you and everyone else into the same ridiculous mould. It’s an artist’s right to rebel against the world’s stupidity.” - E.A. Bucchianeri

72. “... an artist should paint from the heart, and not always what people expect. Predictability often leads to the dullest work, in my opinion, and we have been bored stiff long enough I think.” - E.A. Bucchianeri

73. “You have a unique gift to offer this world. Be true to yourself, be kind to yourself, read and learn about everything that interests you and keep away from people who bring you down. When you treat yourself kindly and respect the uniqueness of those around you, you will be giving this world an amazing gift... YOU!” - Steve Maraboli

74. “Always listen to yourself... It is better to be wrong than simply to follow convention.” - Bryce Courtenay

75. “Shine with all you have. When someone tries to blow you out, just take their oxygen and burn brighter.” - Katelyn S. Irons

76. “Menjadi diri sendiri jauh lebih mudah ketimbang menjadi diri orang lain” - Mega Elisa

77. “It's simple; be YOU. If you're not being you, you're being someone else. YOU are not here to be someone else.” - Steve Maraboli

78. “I believe that half the trouble in the world comes from people asking 'What have I achieved?' rather than 'What have I enjoyed?' I've been writing about a subject I love as long as I can remember--horses and the people associated with them, anyplace, anywhere, anytime. I couldn't be happier knowing that young people are reading my books. But even more important to me is that I've enjoyed so much the writing of them.” - Walter Farley

79. “Do the things that interest you and do them with all your heart. Don't be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticizing you. The chances are that they aren't paying any attention to you. It's your attention to yourself that is so stultifying. But you have to disregard yourself as completely as possible. If you fail the first time then you'll just have to try harder the second time. After all, there's no real reason why you should fail. Just stop thinking about yourself.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

80. “Break the rules, stand apart, ignore your head, and follow your heart,” - Paula Abdul

81. “Don't dilute yourself for any person or any reason. You are enough! Be unapologetically you.” - Steve Maraboli

82. “Stop living within the confines of how others define you! You weren't created to live their life; you were created to live yours - so LIVE it! You can reignite that fire within and bring the passion back into your goals, dreams, ambitions, careers, and relationships by reclaiming control of your own life. Be unapologetically YOU!” - Steve Maraboli

83. “How many more of us are faking the facade? How many more of us are pretending to be something we're not? Even better, how many of us will have the courage to be ourselves regardless of what others think?” - Katie McGarry

84. “Life is simple, just be yourself.” - E'yen A. Gardner

85. “Just remember to always be yourself and don’t be afraid to speak your mind or to dream out loud” - J.A. Redmerski

86. “It doesn't matter if you're 20, 40, 60, 80, or 100. Embrace your sexy-ass self and express it!” - Steve Maraboli

87. “Don't look for society to give you permission to be yourself.” - Steve Maraboli

88. “For in today’s generation of teenagers finding acceptance is hard, especially for those who dare to be different-then it’s impossible.” - Rebecah McManus

89. “We live in a world full of people who are satisfied with pretending to be someone they are not.” - Tommy Tran

90. “Don't let other people's opinions distort your reality. Be true to yourself. Be bold in pursuing your dreams. Be unapologetically you!” - Steve Maraboli

91. “The less you look to others,the more you find in yourself.What have you found in yourself.” - Ron W. Rathbun

92. “Trust is learning how you feel about yourself,not how others feel about you.Do you trust how you feel.If not, why.” - Ron W. Rathbun

93. “Very few people do this any more. It's too risky. First of all, it's a hell of a responsibility to be yourself. It's much easier to be somebody else or nobody at all.” - Sylvia Plath

94. “Well, to tell you the truth, I've thought of it often and often before, but he's such devilish good company is Huntingdon, after all - you can't imagine what a jovial good fellow he is when he's not fairly drunk, only just primed or half-seas-over - we all have a bit of a liking for him at the bottom of our hearts, though we can't respect him.''But should you wish yourself to be like him?''No, I'd rather be like myself, bad as I am.” - Anne Brontë

95. “Wake-up! Think for yourself, be yourself and return to what is real.” - Bryant McGill

96. “All I wanted was to live a life where I could be me, and be okay with that. I had no need for material possessions, money or even close friends with me on my journey. I never understood people very well anyway, and they never seemed to understand me very well either. All I wanted was my art and the chance to be the creator of my own world, my own reality. I wanted the open road and new beginnings every day.” - Charlotte Eriksson

97. “Everything just feels so empty without her. She was more a parent to me than my birth parents were. She took me in, fed, dressed me, but most importantly, she treated me with respect. She taught me that my abilities were nothing to be ashamed of, nothing I should try so hard to deny. She convinced me that what I had was a gift-not a curse- and that I shouldn't let other people's narrow minds and fears determine how I love, what I do, or how I perceive myself in the world. She actually made me believe that in no way, shape, or form did their uninformed opinions make me a freak.” - Alyson Noel

98. “There's a way, a way way too long but reachable, not for everyone a way but possible... Go and don't lose your way!” - Rossana Condoleo