“Be that self which one truly is.”
- May 5, 1813 – November 11, 1855
- Danish
- Philosopher, Theologian, Poet, Father of Existentialism
table of contents
Quote
“Be that self which one truly is.”
Explanation
This quote embodies Kierkegaard’s core existential teaching: that the highest task of human life is to become one’s true self. It is a call to authenticity, to shed the layers of conformity, fear, and self-deception that often shape our identity, and to embrace the inward, God-given individuality that defines our true being. To “be that self” is not a passive state—it is an active, lifelong process of self-realization and responsibility.
Kierkegaard developed this idea in reaction to the mass culture and social uniformity of 19th-century Denmark. He saw people living according to expectations, roles, and public opinion, rather than striving to discover who they were before God. For him, true selfhood is not defined by outward success or identity labels, but by an inward relationship to truth, cultivated through reflection, choice, and faith. Becoming one’s true self requires courage, suffering, and spiritual honesty.
In the modern world, where identity is often influenced by media, trends, and external validation, this quote remains deeply relevant. It challenges each person to resist the temptation to perform or imitate, and instead to seek depth, integrity, and inward freedom. To “be that self which one truly is” is to live deliberately and truthfully, even when doing so is uncomfortable—because only in that pursuit can a person become whole.
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