--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Self-sufficiency, independence, the…" description: "\"Self-sufficiency, independence, the capacity to stand apart, to differ, to resist, and to defy-all are modes of being human.\" — Abraham Joshua Heschel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be3/abraham-joshua-heschel-1851_being-human_self-sufficiency-independence-the-capaci_2319843.png" --- # Self-sufficiency, independence, the capacity to stand… ![“Self-sufficiency, independence, the capacity to stand apart, to differ, to resist, and to defy-all are modes of being human.” quote by Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be3/abraham-joshua-heschel-1851_being-human_self-sufficiency-independence-the-capaci_2319843.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be3/abraham-joshua-heschel-1851_being-human_self-sufficiency-independence-the-capaci_2319843.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be3/abraham-joshua-heschel-1851_being-human_self-sufficiency-independence-the-capaci_2319843.png) > “Self-sufficiency, independence, the capacity to stand apart, to differ, to resist, and to defy-all are modes of being human.” [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human existence is defined by independence, resistance, and defiance—core aspects of being human. **In simple terms:** Independence defines humanity. Key Takeaway Embrace autonomy and purposeful resistance. Themes human nature independence resistance Mood reflective assertive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - activism - personal boundaries - creative expression Key Concepts existentialism ethical agency self‑determination Questions to Reflect On - What does defiance mean to you? - How can you balance independence with community? A Different Perspective Resistance can lead to isolation if not balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Being human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-human/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Independence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self sufficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-sufficiency/) [Sufficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufficiency/) ## Related quotes > [The idea of dependence is an explanation, whereas self-sufficiency is an unprecedented, nonanalogous concept in terms of what we know about life within nature.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/the-idea-of-dependence-is-an-explanation-whereas-self-sufficiency-is/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [“The ordinary modes of human thinking are magical, religious, social, and personal. We want our wishes to come true; we want the universe to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-derbyshire/the-ordinary-modes-of-human-thinking-are-magical-religious-social-and/) [John Derbyshire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-derbyshire/) > [It must not be supposed that happiness will demand many or great possessions; for self-sufficiency does not depend on excessive abundance, nor does moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/it-must-not-be-supposed-that-happiness-will-demand-many-or-great/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Indeed, the keynote of government is injustice. With the arrogance and self-sufficiency of the King who could do no wrong, governments ordain, judge, condemn,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/indeed-the-keynote-of-government-is-injustice-with-the-arrogance-and/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [A lot of people say there is no happiness in this life and certainly there's no permanent happiness. But self-sufficiency creates happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/a-lot-of-people-say-there-is-no-happiness-in-this-life-and-certainly/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [Surrounded by the self -sufficiency of American culture, we can convince ourselves that we have what it takes to achieve something great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/surrounded-by-the-self-sufficiency-of-american-culture-we-can/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [America has a history of political isolation and economic self-sufficiency; its citizens have tended to regard the rest of the world as a disaster…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-lurie/america-has-a-history-of-political-isolation-and-economic-self/) [Alison Lurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-lurie/) > [A very real barrier to faith is this feeling of self-sufficiency, this unrealistic idea that one can accomplish everything by his or her own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/a-very-real-barrier-to-faith-is-this-feeling-of-self-sufficiency-this/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [“The flat is small, with only a sliver of ocean view from the bedroom window, but I pay for it myself—not from the family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-chase/the-flat-is-small-with-only-a-sliver-of-ocean-view-from-the-bedroom/) [Emma Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-chase/) > [The myth of the self-sufficient individual and of the self-sufficient, protected, and protective familytells us that those who need help are ultimately inadequate. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-keniston/the-myth-of-the-self-sufficient-individual-and-of-the-self-sufficient/) [Kenneth Keniston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-keniston/) > [We in the West seem to have made a fetish out of complete individual self-sufficiency, of not needing help, of being completely private except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-rogers/we-in-the-west-seem-to-have-made-a-fetish-out-of-complete-individual/) [Carl Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-rogers/) > [In many cases, mathematics is an escape from reality. The mathematician finds his own monastic niche and happiness in pursuits that are disconnected from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanislaw-ulam/in-many-cases-mathematics-is-an-escape-from-reality-the-mathematician/) [Stanislaw Ulam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanislaw-ulam/) > [Self-sufficiency is the enemy of salvation. If you are self-sufficient, you have no need of God. If you have no need of God, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-nicholson/self-sufficiency-is-the-enemy-of-salvation-if-you-are-self-sufficient/) [William Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-nicholson/) > [Annual earnings in the fast-food industry are well below the income needed for self-sufficiency, and fast-food industry jobs are also much less likely than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rolf/annual-earnings-in-the-fast-food-industry-are-well-below-the-income/) [David Rolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rolf/) > [Development of character consists solely in moving toward self-sufficiency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/development-of-character-consists-solely-in-moving-toward-self/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) ## More by Abraham Joshua Heschel > [“The primitive mind finds it hard to realize an idea without the aid of imagination, and it is the realm of space where imagination…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/the-primitive-mind-finds-it-hard-to-realize-an-idea-without-the-aid/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [To serve does not mean to surrender but to share.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/to-serve-does-not-mean-to-surrender-but-to-share/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [“There is a passion and drive for cruel deeds which only the awe and fear of God can soothe; there is a suffocating selfishness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/there-is-a-passion-and-drive-for-cruel-deeds-which-only-the-awe-and/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [People of our time are losing the power of celebration. 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Yet, the equation of the meaningful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/usually-we-regard-as-meaningful-that-which-can-be-expressed-and-as/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [Understanding God is not attained by calling into session all arguments for and against Him, in order to debate whether He is a reality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/understanding-god-is-not-attained-by-calling-into-session-all/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [Indifference to evil is more insidious than evil itself. It is a silent justification affording evil acceptability in society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/indifference-to-evil-is-more-insidious-than-evil-itself-it-is-a/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [Religion has become an impersonal affair, an institutional loyalty. It survives on the level of activities rather than in the stillness of commitment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/religion-has-become-an-impersonal-affair-an-institutional-loyalty-it/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [“What seems to be a stone is a drama.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/what-seems-to-be-a-stone-is-a-drama/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [Prayer begins where our power ends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/prayer-begins-where-our-power-ends/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [The awe of God is wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/the-awe-of-god-is-wisdom/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [The problem to be faced is: how to combine loyalty to one's own tradition with reverence for different traditions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/the-problem-to-be-faced-is-how-to-combine-loyalty-to-one-s-own/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [The degree to which one is sensitive to other people's suffering, to other (people's) humanity, is the index of one's own humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/the-degree-to-which-one-is-sensitive-to-other-people-s-suffering-to/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [Acceptance is appreciation, and the high value of appreciation is such that to appreciate appreciation seems to be the fundamental prerequisite for survival. Mankind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/acceptance-is-appreciation-and-the-high-value-of-appreciation-is-such/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) [Explore all 203 Abraham Joshua Heschel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) ## More Being human quotes > [The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-schmitt/the-concept-of-humanity-is-an-especially-useful-ideological/) [Carl Schmitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-schmitt/) > [We began as mineral. 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Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) > [We’re built to deal with death, disease, failure, struggle, heartbreak, problems. It’s what separates us from the animals and why we envy and love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-maron/we-re-built-to-deal-with-death-disease-failure-struggle-heartbreak/) [Marc Maron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-maron/) > [“There are countless reasons to be jealous. But that doesn’t mean you have to succumb to them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-revis/there-are-countless-reasons-to-be-jealous-but-that-doesn-t-mean-you/) [Beth Revis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-revis/) > [“I honour the clarity of the present moment, and the stillness at the centre of being (mine & others), even in the midst of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/i-honour-the-clarity-of-the-present-moment-and-the-stillness-at-the/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [It's the strangest thing about being human: to know so much, to communicate so much, and yet always to fall so drastically short of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-messud/it-s-the-strangest-thing-about-being-human-to-know-so-much-to/) [Claire Messud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-messud/) > [Virtue is something you have to get good at, like playing the trombone or tolerating bores at parties. Being a virtuous human being takes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/virtue-is-something-you-have-to-get-good-at-like-playing-the-trombone/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [Heartbreak is our indication of sincerity: in a love relationship, in a work, in trying to learn a musical instrument, in the attempt to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-whyte/heartbreak-is-our-indication-of-sincerity-in-a-love-relationship-in-a/) [David Whyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-whyte/) > [The Gnostics believed that exile was the essential condition of man. Do you agree? I do. The artist and the addict both wrestle with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/the-gnostics-believed-that-exile-was-the-essential-condition-of-man/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [“Either way, you were connected. By your desires. By your defiance. By the simple, complicated fact of who you were.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/either-way-you-were-connected-by-your-desires-by-your-defiance-by-the/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [“...something can be a good thing and yet not a necessary thing. It is good for people to be expert at brain surgery. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-lee-austin/something-can-be-a-good-thing-and-yet-not-a-necessary-thing-it-is/) Victor Lee Austin > [I have no interest in problematizing things. 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