“Although I’m only fourteen, I know quite well what I want. I know who is right and who is wrong. I have my opinions, my own ideas and principles, and although it may sound pretty mad from an adolescent, I feel more of a person than a child. I feel quite independent of anyone.”
- June 12, 1929 – February/March 1945
- German-Dutch
- Diarist, Holocaust Victim, Symbol of the Human Cost of War and Persecution
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Quote
“Although I’m only fourteen, I know quite well what I want. I know who is right and who is wrong. I have my opinions, my own ideas and principles, and although it may sound pretty mad from an adolescent, I feel more of a person than a child. I feel quite independent of anyone.”
Explanation
Anne Frank’s statement is a powerful declaration of self-awareness and emerging identity. Despite her young age, she asserts her ability to distinguish right from wrong, to hold independent beliefs, and to think critically about the world around her. Her words challenge the common dismissal of adolescent voices, showing that maturity is not strictly a matter of age, but of thoughtfulness, conviction, and moral clarity.
This expression of autonomy is especially striking given the context: a girl confined in hiding, facing daily fear and uncertainty. Rather than being broken by her circumstances, Anne developed a strong sense of self and purpose, finding in her thoughts and principles a kind of freedom. Her claim that she feels “more of a person than a child” reflects her accelerated emotional growth—brought on not only by war but by introspection and writing.
In today’s world, her quote continues to resonate with young people asserting their voices in society. It reminds adults to listen to and respect the perspectives of youth, who often offer fresh insight and moral courage. Anne’s early confidence in her identity is a testament to the power of inner strength and intellectual independence, even in the most oppressive conditions.
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