“There was a time I stopped talking, just like you. My reasons were a little bit different, but... I think the feelings of being ashamed of myself and hating myself... are the same. Here it says "to like yourself." What does that mean? Good things---how are you supposed to find them? I only know things that I hate about myself. Because that's all I know: I hate myself. Even if your force yourself to find good things... it feels so empty. It doesn't work that way. People like your teacher just don't get it.I think... when you hear someone say they like you for the first time... then you can begin to like yourself. I think when someone accepts you for the first time... you feel like you can forgive yourself a little. You can begin to face your fears.~Yuki”
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Natsuki Takaya's "Fruits Basket," the character Yuki expresses his feelings of self-hatred and shame. Yuki reflects on a time when he stopped talking and compares his struggles to those of the listener. He questions the concept of liking oneself and finding good things about oneself, admitting that he only knows things he hates about himself. Yuki suggests that hearing someone say they like you for the first time can begin the journey of self-acceptance and forgiveness. This quote emphasizes the importance of acceptance and how it can lead to personal growth and facing one's fears.
Modern Relevance
In this quote from Natsuki Takaya's manga "Fruits Basket," the character Yuki expresses the struggle of accepting oneself and finding self-worth. This theme of self-love and acceptance remains relevant in today's society, where individuals often face pressures to conform to unrealistic standards and may struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-hatred. Yuki's journey towards self-acceptance and the idea that acceptance and validation from others can help in this process resonate with many people in the modern world who are on their own paths to self-discovery and self-love.
Example of Usage
In this powerful quote from Natsuki Takaya's work, a character named Yuki eloquently expresses the struggle of self-acceptance and the impact of others' acceptance on one's ability to forgive themselves and face their fears. The emotional depth and vulnerability in this passage resonates with many readers.
Reflection Questions:
This quote from Natsuki Takaya's work raises important questions about self-love and acceptance. Reflect on the following questions to deepen your understanding of the themes presented in the text:
Have you ever experienced a time when you stopped talking or felt ashamed of yourself? How did it impact your self-perception?
What do you think it means to "like yourself"? How do you currently view yourself and your qualities?
Do you agree with the idea that hearing someone say they like you can help you begin to like yourself? Why or why not?
How do you think self-acceptance and forgiveness play a role in facing your fears and overcoming challenges?
In what ways can you cultivate self-love and acceptance in your own life? What steps can you take to embrace and appreciate yourself more fully?
Similar quotes
“I... There was a time when I stopped talking. Just like you. My reasons were a little bit different, but I think the feelings of being ashamed of myself and hating myself are the same. Here, it says to "like yourself." What does that mean? Good things- how are you supposed to find them? I only know things that I hate about myself. Because that's all I know, I hate myself. But even if you force yourself to find good things, it feels so empty. It doesn't work that way. People like your teacher just don't get it. I think when you hear someone say they like you, for the first time, then you can begin to like yourself. I think when someone accepts you, for the first time, you feel like you can forgive yourself a little. You can begin to face your fears with courage.”
“You are told to love your neighbour as yourself. How do you love yourself? When I look into my own mind, I find that I do not love myself by thinking myself a dear old chap or having affectionate feelings. I do not think that I love myself because I am particularly good, but just because I am myself and quite apart from my character. I might detest something which I have done. Nevertheless, I do not cease to love myself. In other words, that definite distinction that Christians make between hating sin and loving the sinner is one that you have been making in your own case since you were born. You dislike what you have done, but you don't cease to love yourself. You may even think that you ought to be hanged. You may even think that you ought to go to the Police and own up and be hanged. Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.”
“That’s what I was thinking about before you came. I was thinking about your mattering business. I feel like, like, how you matter is defined by the things that matter to you. You matter as much as the things that matter to you do. And I got so backwards, trying to make myself matter to him. All this time, there were real things to care about: real, good people who care about me, and this place. It’s so easy to get stuck. You just get caught in being something, being special or cool or whatever, to the point where you don’t even know why you need it; you just think you do.”“You don’t even know why you need to be world-famous; you just think you do.”
“You come to work every day but you hardly get to know anyone. I don't even know the names of half the people I see in the elevators. They say the company is a big family, but I don't know them. And even the people I do, like you two, and Elizabeth, and Roger - do I really? I mean, I like you guys, but we only ever talk about work. When I'm out with friends, or at home, I never talk about work. The other day, I tried to explain to my sister why it's such a huge deal that Elizabeth ate Roger's donut, and she thought I was insane. And you know what, I agreed with her. At home I couldn't even think why it mattered. Because I'm a different person at home. When I leave this place at night, I can feel myself changing. Like shifting gears in my head. And you guys don't know that; you just know what I'm like here, which is terrible, because I think I'm better away from work. I don't even like who I am here. Is that just me? Or is everyone different when they come to work? If they are, then what are they really like? How can we ever know? All we know are the Work People.”
“I don't like you. I don't like how your hair smells, and how I can't stop thinking about waking up and seeing your face. I hate how my bed felt empty when you left. I don't like how good you were with my family, especially Harper, and how I wanted ot see you with them again, but not just as a guest. As a member. You're right. I don't like you at all.”