---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everyone really is an independent person…"
description: "\"“Everyone really is an independent person. When we become a dependent person, we lose our independence. A good part of our work is to reclaim that inde..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/art-hochberg-1133_freedom_everyone-really-is-an-independent-person_1376735.jpg"
---

#  Everyone really is an independent person. When we become a…

![“Everyone really is an independent person. When we become a dependent person, we lose our independence. A good part of our work is to reclaim that independent person by letting go of our need for dependence. Dependence enslaves us.” quote by Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/art-hochberg-1133_freedom_everyone-really-is-an-independent-person_1376735.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/art-hochberg-1133_freedom_everyone-really-is-an-independent-person_1376735.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/art-hochberg-1133_freedom_everyone-really-is-an-independent-person_1376735.jpg)

> ““Everyone really is an independent person. When we become a dependent person, we lose our independence. A good part of our work is to reclaim that independent person by letting go of our need for dependence. Dependence enslaves us.””

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Independence is lost when we rely on others; reclaiming it requires letting go of dependence.

**In simple terms:** Relying on others reduces freedom.

Key Takeaway

Let go of dependence to regain freedom.

Themes

independence self‑reliance personal growth

Mood

reflective motivational

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- personal relationships
- career decisions
- mental health
- spiritual practice

Key Concepts

psychology autonomy self‑determination

Questions to Reflect On

- What does independence mean to you?
- How can you practice self‑reliance daily?

A Different Perspective

Overcoming dependence can be socially challenging.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Dependence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dependence/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Independent person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independent-person/)

## Related quotes

> [“The needs for safety, belonging, love relations and for respect can be satisfied only by other people, i.e., only from outside the person. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-h-maslow/the-needs-for-safety-belonging-love-relations-and-for-respect-can-be/)

[Abraham H. Maslow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-h-maslow/)

> [Why is the feeling of insecurity so prevalent in this field? Because the actor is such a dependent person on other people. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akshaye-khanna/why-is-the-feeling-of-insecurity-so-prevalent-in-this-field-because/)

[Akshaye Khanna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akshaye-khanna/)

> [There's lots of ways people can be dependent, on another person, or drugs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elliott-smith/there-s-lots-of-ways-people-can-be-dependent-on-another-person-or/)

[Elliott Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elliott-smith/)

> [I've been a very self-dependent person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jwala-gutta/i-ve-been-a-very-self-dependent-person/)

[Jwala Gutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jwala-gutta/)

> [Nobody in the world is completely dependent on another person, but we are all interdependent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangari-maathai/nobody-in-the-world-is-completely-dependent-on-another-person-but-we/)

[Wangari Maathai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangari-maathai/)

> [“I strip myself emotionally when I confess need – that I would be lost without you, that I am not necessarily the independent person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/i-strip-myself-emotionally-when-i-confess-need-that-i-would-be-lost/)

[Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/)

> [I've worked with a variety of presidents over the years on both sides of the aisle and congressmen and senators, so I'm not into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-benioff/i-ve-worked-with-a-variety-of-presidents-over-the-years-on-both-sides/)

[Marc Benioff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-benioff/)

> [As an independent person, I find it difficult being dependent for everything, for even my food and medicine, to the prison authorities. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asif-ali-zardari/as-an-independent-person-i-find-it-difficult-being-dependent-for/)

[Asif Ali Zardari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asif-ali-zardari/)

> [“what is the difference between being an independent person and being a person who is accepting of loneliness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-gonzalez/what-is-the-difference-between-being-an-independent-person-and-being/)

[Mira Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-gonzalez/)

> [Temptation is just the feeling that you're the most independent person on planet Earth. That you know everything. That's something that we all go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendrick-lamar/temptation-is-just-the-feeling-that-you-re-the-most-independent/)

[Kendrick Lamar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendrick-lamar/)

> [“This portion of the chapter is directed at those of you whose son or daughter or other relative is in denial about his or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/this-portion-of-the-chapter-is-directed-at-those-of-you-whose-son-or/)

[Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/)

> [Remember, you can be in love, but always be independent; be your own person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/remember-you-can-be-in-love-but-always-be-independent-be-your-own/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [It's tricky to be such an independent person, from Canada. It doesn't matter how incredible your work is, if you're an unknown person and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shary-boyle/it-s-tricky-to-be-such-an-independent-person-from-canada-it-doesn-t/)

[Shary Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shary-boyle/)

> [I am a fiercely independent person, and I am no one's pawn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-blasey-ford/i-am-a-fiercely-independent-person-and-i-am-no-one-s-pawn/)

[Christine Blasey Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-blasey-ford/)

> [The corporation is not an independent "person" with its own rights, needs, and desires that regulators must respect. It is a state created tool…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-bakan/the-corporation-is-not-an-independent-person-with-its-own-rights/)

[Joel Bakan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-bakan/)

## More by Art Hochberg

> [“How do the eyes see? I don’t think the scientists have a clue about that one. There is a science within science – that’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/how-do-the-eyes-see-i-don-t-think-the-scientists-have-a-clue-about/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“Join up the different aspects of yourself – sort of like a team.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/join-up-the-different-aspects-of-yourself-sort-of-like-a-team/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“The more we cling to the known, the more fearful we are of the unknown.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/the-more-we-cling-to-the-known-the-more-fearful-we-are-of-the-unknown/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“A big part of wisdom is to learn which situations to get involved in, or not get involved in – it really is as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/a-big-part-of-wisdom-is-to-learn-which-situations-to-get-involved-in/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“Believe your life has value and you are here for a purpose. What that purpose is, is your life’s work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/believe-your-life-has-value-and-you-are-here-for-a-purpose-what-that/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“Sometimes it’s better to not know about something. We don’t always have to fill our head with a lot of stuff we don’t need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/sometimes-it-s-better-to-not-know-about-something-we-don-t-always/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“You know you can be as sweet as you want, or as tough as you want, or both at the same time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/you-know-you-can-be-as-sweet-as-you-want-or-as-tough-as-you-want-or/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“Contentment? Hmmmmmmmmm. That’s a really deep one. It requires diving deep into the moment and bringing up that contentment which lies deep within us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/contentment-hmmmmmmmmm-that-s-a-really-deep-one-it-requires-diving/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“Sometimes instead of creating a scene it’s better to quietly slip out of the scene, practically unseen. It saves a lot of drama, unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/sometimes-instead-of-creating-a-scene-it-s-better-to-quietly-slip-out/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“When you smell a flower, where is the smell before you smell the flower? Think about that one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/when-you-smell-a-flower-where-is-the-smell-before-you-smell-the/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“Don't try to be like the Guru - be yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/don-t-try-to-be-like-the-guru-be-yourself/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“I don’t think that God cares about what you think. It’s the actions that count. Actually He doesn’t care what you do as long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/i-don-t-think-that-god-cares-about-what-you-think-it-s-the-actions/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“When you get to a point where there’s absolutely nothing you can count on in this world, you’re home free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/when-you-get-to-a-point-where-there-s-absolutely-nothing-you-can/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“It’s easy then we’re just doing what’s in front of us – without judging the hell out of ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/it-s-easy-then-we-re-just-doing-what-s-in-front-of-us-without-judging/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

> [“There is no sense of worshipping a Guru - or anyone for that matter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/there-is-no-sense-of-worshipping-a-guru-or-anyone-for-that-matter/)

[Art Hochberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

[Explore all 285 Art Hochberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/)

## More Dependence quotes

> [On Thanksgiving Day we acknowledge our dependence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/on-thanksgiving-day-we-acknowledge-our-dependence/)

[William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/)

> [God's power under us, in us, surging through us, is exactly what turns dependence into unforgettable experiences of completeness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-wilkinson/god-s-power-under-us-in-us-surging-through-us-is-exactly-what-turns/)

[Bruce Wilkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-wilkinson/)

> [Love is . . . Knowing that the other person will always be with you regardless of what happens, Missing the other person when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/love-is-knowing-that-the-other-person-will-always-be-with-you/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [It is not inequality which is the real misfortune, it is dependence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/it-is-not-inequality-which-is-the-real-misfortune-it-is-dependence/)

[Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/)

> [Never depend on anyone else's strength but God's strength to help you through and nor expect from anyone except God to be with you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/never-depend-on-anyone-else-s-strength-but-god-s-strength-to-help-you/)

[Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/)

> [The strongest reason for giving woman all the opportunities of higher education, for the full development of her faculties, forces of mind and body;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/the-strongest-reason-for-giving-woman-all-the-opportunities-of-higher/)

[Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/)

> [ They \[leaders in Western Europe\] do not misuse financial instruments, financial injections, but, first of all, seek structural change. This is urgent for our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/they-leaders-in-western-europe-do-not-misuse-financial-instruments/)

[Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/)

> [Religion, in its most general view, is such a Sense of God in the soul, and such a conviction of our obligations to him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-doddridge/religion-in-its-most-general-view-is-such-a-sense-of-god-in-the-soul/)

[Philip Doddridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-doddridge/)

> [By reducing our dependence of foreign oil and increasing alternative energy sources such as ethanol, we can begin to bring down prices at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-ryun/by-reducing-our-dependence-of-foreign-oil-and-increasing-alternative/)

[Jim Ryun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-ryun/)

> [A faith which we follow upon orders imposed from outside is no faith, and a community which puts its dependence upon such a pseudo-faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norbert-wiener/a-faith-which-we-follow-upon-orders-imposed-from-outside-is-no-faith/)

[Norbert Wiener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norbert-wiener/)

> [We need to exert ourselves that much more, and break out of the vicious cycle of dependence imposed on us by the financially powerful:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/we-need-to-exert-ourselves-that-much-more-and-break-out-of-the/)

[Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/)

> [ The heart becomes sick, as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is al-Tawbah (repentance) and protection \[from transgression\]. It becomes rusty as a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibn-qayyim-al-jawziyya/the-heart-becomes-sick-as-the-body-becomes-sick-and-its-remedy-is-al/)

[Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ibn-qayyim-al-jawziyya/)

> [The safest hands to entrust all things is in the hands of the Almighty God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/the-safest-hands-to-entrust-all-things-is-in-the-hands-of-the/)

[Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/)

> [Civilization is in no immediate danger of running out of energy or even just out of oil. But we are running out of environment-that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-v-vaitheeswaran/civilization-is-in-no-immediate-danger-of-running-out-of-energy-or/)

Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran

> [If women be educated for dependence; that is, to act according to the will of another fallible being, and submit, right or wrong, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft/if-women-be-educated-for-dependence-that-is-to-act-according-to-the/)

[Mary Wollstonecraft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft/)

[Browse all 618 Dependence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dependence/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Everyone really is an independent person. When we become a dependent person, we lose our independence. A good part of our work is to reclaim that independent person by letting go of our need for dependence. Dependence enslaves us.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Art Hochberg"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/everyone-really-is-an-independent-person-when-we-become-a-dependent/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Dependence"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/everyone-really-is-an-independent-person-when-we-become-a-dependent/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/art-hochberg-1133_freedom_everyone-really-is-an-independent-person_1376735.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/art-hochberg-1133_freedom_everyone-really-is-an-independent-person_1376735.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2e3/art-hochberg-1133_freedom_everyone-really-is-an-independent-person_1376735.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Everyone really is an independent person. When we become a dependent person, we lose our independence. A…” — Art Hochberg",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Art Hochberg",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/art-hochberg/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Everyone really is an independent person....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/everyone-really-is-an-independent-person-when-we-become-a-dependent/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/art-hochberg/everyone-really-is-an-independent-person-when-we-become-a-dependent/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
