--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The self is made, not given" description: "\"The self is made, not given\" — Barbara Myerhoff" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62f/barbara-myerhoff-71321_given_the-self-is-made-not-given-3191624_3191624.jpg" --- # The self is made, not given ![“The self is made, not given” quote by Barbara Myerhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62f/barbara-myerhoff-71321_given_the-self-is-made-not-given-3191624_3191624.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62f/barbara-myerhoff-71321_given_the-self-is-made-not-given-3191624_3191624.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/62f/barbara-myerhoff-71321_given_the-self-is-made-not-given-3191624_3191624.jpg) > “The self is made, not given” [Barbara Myerhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-myerhoff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Identity is constructed through experiences and choices, not innate. **In simple terms:** Self is shaped, not innate. Key Takeaway Reflect on how you build your identity. Themes identity construction selfhood Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - personal growth - career development - relationships - cultural adaptation Key Concepts sociology psychology anthropology Questions to Reflect On - How do your choices shape who you are? - What external factors influence your identity? A Different Perspective May overlook biological influences on self. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/given/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Given](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-given-238502/) ## Related quotes > [From the idea that the self is not given to us, I think there is only one practical consequence: we have to create ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-foucault/from-the-idea-that-the-self-is-not-given-to-us-i-think-there-is-only/) [Michel Foucault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-foucault/) > [Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/talent-is-god-given-be-humble-fame-is-man-given-be-grateful-conceit-2/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [When you give yourself away you find that a new and more real self has somehow been given to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/when-you-give-yourself-away-you-find-that-a-new-and-more-real-self/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [The gift of self cannot be given to us. It is an incomparable gift that has already been given. We have possessed it from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-spence/the-gift-of-self-cannot-be-given-to-us-it-is-an-incomparable-gift/) [Gerry Spence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-spence/) > [He who, having lost his parents or being abandoned, by them without ,just cause, gives himself to a ,man , is called a son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guru-nanak/he-who-having-lost-his-parents-or-being-abandoned-by-them-without/) [Guru Nanak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guru-nanak/) > [“she’d neglected to make choices for her inner self as well. She’d given away too much.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-alice-monroe/she-d-neglected-to-make-choices-for-her-inner-self-as-well-she-d/) [Mary Alice Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-alice-monroe/) > [Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/talent-is-god-given-be-humble-fame-is-man-given-be-grateful-conceit/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [Love is as simple as the absence of self given to another](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-as-simple-as-the-absence-of-self-given-to-another/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“People in great need were quick to find blame in themselves, quick to assume the burden of guilt for things they in truth had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-erikson/people-in-great-need-were-quick-to-find-blame-in-themselves-quick-to/) [Steven Erikson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-erikson/) > [For they have always unanimously maintained that nature, rather the Creator Himself, has given man the right of private ownership not only that individuals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/for-they-have-always-unanimously-maintained-that-nature-rather-the/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) > [One is given to self-dramatization from time to time. 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God is using me from His great personal perspective, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-chambers/i-must-learn-that-the-purpose-of-my-life-belongs-to-god-not-me-god-is/) [Oswald Chambers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-chambers/) > [We feel that to reveal embarrassing or private things, we have given someone something, that, like a primitive person fearing that a photographer will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-eggers/we-feel-that-to-reveal-embarrassing-or-private-things-we-have-given/) [Dave Eggers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-eggers/) > [I find myself frequently placed where I dare give neither assent nor dissent to propositions that are submitted to me; for there is danger…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-g-white/i-find-myself-frequently-placed-where-i-dare-give-neither-assent-nor/) [Ellen G. White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-g-white/) > [I used to believe the purpose in life is to find happiness. I don’t believe that anymore. 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