Nathaniel Branden

It's not that achievements prove our worth but rather that the process of achieving is the means by which we develop our…

— Nathaniel Branden

The highest compliment one can be paid by another human being is to be told: 'Because of what you are, you are…

— Nathaniel Branden

“Throughout the world there is an awakening to the fact that, just as a human being cannot hope to realize his or…

— Nathaniel Branden

Living consciously reflects the conviction that sight is preferable to blindness; that respecting the facts of reality is more satisfying than denying…

— Nathaniel Branden

“Out of fear, out of the desire for approval, out of misguided notions of duty, people surrender themselves--their convictions and their aspirations--every…

— Nathaniel Branden

The tragedy of too many people is that they cannot allow happiness just to be there; they cannot leave it alone. Their…

— Nathaniel Branden

To accept struggle as part of life, to accept all of it, even the darkest moments of anguish; to be motivated by…

— Nathaniel Branden

To live consciously means to seek to be aware of everything that bears on our actions, purposes, values, and goals—to the best…

— Nathaniel Branden

Individualism is at once an ethical-psychological concept and an ethical-political one. As an ethical-psychological concept, individualism holds that a human being should…

— Nathaniel Branden

To love a person is to know and love the person. But we can pick up an enormous amount about another human…

— Nathaniel Branden

You are not likely to bring out the best in people or nurture their creativity if every time you hear about their…

— Nathaniel Branden

Of all the judgments you make in life, none is as important as the one you make about yourself. The difference between…

— Nathaniel Branden

Even when our life is most difficult, it is important to remember that something within us is keeping us alive- the life…

— Nathaniel Branden

Taking on responsibilities that properly belong to someone else means behaving irresponsibly toward yourself. You need to know where you end and…

— Nathaniel Branden

Positive self-esteem operates as, in effect, the immune system of the consciousness, providing resistance, strength, and a capacity for regeneration. When self-esteem…

— Nathaniel Branden

The natural inclination of a child is to take pleasure in the use of the mind no less than of the body.…

— Nathaniel Branden

Your life is important. Whether you achieve what you want in life matters. Whether you are happy matters. Honor and fight for…

— Nathaniel Branden

For children mastery entails struggle. This means they must be permitted to struggle. If parents inappropriately step in to "help"-out of impatience…

— Nathaniel Branden

“Chances are, when you were young, you were told, in effect, "Listen, kid, here is the news: life is not about you.…

— Nathaniel Branden

The higher our self-esteem, the stronger the drive to express ourselves, reflecting the sense of richness within. The lower our self-esteem, the…

— Nathaniel Branden

The music that inspires the souls of lovers exists within themselves and the private universe they occupy. They share it with each…

— Nathaniel Branden

One of the characteristics of love relationships that flower is a relatively high degree of mutual self-disclosure - a willingness to let…

— Nathaniel Branden

Not a great deal is known about the factors in childhood that doubtless underlie a person's choice of career - I'm talking…

— Nathaniel Branden