“I think that somehow, we learn who we really are and then live with that decision.”
- October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962
- American
- First Lady of the United States, Diplomat, Human Rights Advocate, Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission
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Quote
“I think that somehow, we learn who we really are and then live with that decision.”
Explanation
In this quote, Eleanor Roosevelt reflects on the journey of self-discovery as both inevitable and deeply personal. She suggests that over time, through experience and introspection, we come to understand our true identity—not just who we appear to be, but who we choose to become. The use of the word “decision” implies that knowing oneself is not merely passive recognition, but an active acceptance—a choice to live authentically with what we uncover.
Roosevelt’s life was marked by this very process. She faced early insecurities, personal loss, and constant public scrutiny, yet she emerged with a clear moral compass and strong identity rooted in service and integrity. Her words point to the idea that self-knowledge comes gradually, and once gained, carries a lifelong commitment. Accepting who we are—our values, our limitations, our potential—is both a revelation and a responsibility.
Today, this quote resonates in a world that often encourages self-performance over self-awareness. Roosevelt reminds us that true identity is not manufactured but discovered, and that living with that truth—with its strengths and flaws—is what gives life meaning. Once we know who we are, the challenge becomes living that truth with courage and grace.
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