I suppose everyone continues to be interested in the quest…
“I suppose everyone continues to be interested in the quest for the self, but what you feel when you're older, I think, is that ... you really must make the self. It is absolutely useless to look for it, you won't find it, but it's possible in some sense to make it. I don't mean in the sense of making a mask, a Yeatsian mask. But you finally begin in some sense to make and choose the self you want.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that the self is not discovered but actively constructed, rejecting the idea of a pre‑existing essence.
In simple terms: We create ourselves rather than find a hidden self.
Key Takeaway
Take responsibility for shaping your identity.
Themes
identity
self‑construction
philosophy
agency
existentialism
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- psychotherapy
- creative writing
Key Concepts
authenticity
self‑determination
existential thought
Questions to Reflect On
- What aspects of self can you truly choose?
- How do external factors limit self‑creation?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook biological or social constraints on identity formation.