--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is not your environment, it is you…" description: "\"It is not your environment, it is you- the quality of your mind, the integrity of your soul and the determination of your will that will decide your fu..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e7/benjamin-e-mays-20877_determination_it-is-not-your-environment-it-is-you-the_3107207.jpg" --- # It is not your environment, it is you- the quality of your… ![“It is not your environment, it is you- the quality of your mind, the integrity of your soul and the determination of your will that will decide your future and shape your life.” quote by Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e7/benjamin-e-mays-20877_determination_it-is-not-your-environment-it-is-you-the_3107207.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e7/benjamin-e-mays-20877_determination_it-is-not-your-environment-it-is-you-the_3107207.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e7/benjamin-e-mays-20877_determination_it-is-not-your-environment-it-is-you-the_3107207.jpg) > “It is not your environment, it is you- the quality of your mind, the integrity of your soul and the determination of your will that will decide your future and shape your life.” [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) ## 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 asserts that personal agency, mind, soul, and will shape destiny more than external circumstances. **In simple terms:** Your inner qualities decide your future, not surroundings. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner strength and purpose. Themes self‑determination mindset spirituality Mood inspirational empowering Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - education - personal development - overcoming adversity Key Concepts agency integrity willpower psychology Questions to Reflect On - What inner qualities can you strengthen today? - How do external factors interact with personal will? A Different Perspective It may underestimate systemic barriers affecting outcomes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Our environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-environment/) [Our future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-future/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Your future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-future/) [Your soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your-soul/) ## Related quotes > [“Faith and belief are not measured by the size of the miracle but the integrity of our soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-f-glassman/faith-and-belief-are-not-measured-by-the-size-of-the-miracle-but-the-2/) [Charles F. Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-f-glassman/) > [You should never risk your integrity or your soul for any amount of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-jackson/you-should-never-risk-your-integrity-or-your-soul-for-any-amount-of/) [Charles R. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-jackson/) > [“Integrity is the soul of leadership! Trust is the engine of leadership!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amine-a-ayad/integrity-is-the-soul-of-leadership-trust-is-the-engine-of-leadership/) [Amine A. Ayad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amine-a-ayad/) > [If you are not living in joy, you are out of integrity with your soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beckwith/if-you-are-not-living-in-joy-you-are-out-of-integrity-with-your-soul/) [Michael Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beckwith/) > [Integrity is about being integrated with the spiritual values of the Universe. It is also about being happy, because happiness and joy mean that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beckwith/integrity-is-about-being-integrated-with-the-spiritual-values-of-the/) [Michael Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beckwith/) > [You have to guard the integrity of your soul and what you believe and have a certain amount of faith not only the country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-wolpe/you-have-to-guard-the-integrity-of-your-soul-and-what-you-believe-and/) [David Wolpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-wolpe/) > [Don't let fear decide your future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shalane-flanagan/don-t-let-fear-decide-your-future/) [Shalane Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shalane-flanagan/) > [Little by little people are understanding that we need to change, but whatever we decide to do in next 10 to 15 years will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-d-barnosky/little-by-little-people-are-understanding-that-we-need-to-change-but/) [Anthony D. Barnosky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-d-barnosky/) > [People dont desire their future, they decide their habits and their habits decide their future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/people-dont-desire-their-future-they-decide-their-habits-and-their/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Never let your fears decide your future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/never-let-your-fears-decide-your-future/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [Tehran believes it's none of our business or anybody else's to decide the future of personalities in other countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammad-javad-zarif/tehran-believes-it-s-none-of-our-business-or-anybody-else-s-to-decide/) [Mohammad Javad Zarif](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammad-javad-zarif/) > [Tomorrow Is My Exam.But I Don'tCare. Bcoz, A Single Sheet Of Paper Can't Decide My Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-elwa-edison-s/tomorrow-is-my-exam-but-i-don-tcare-bcoz-a-single-sheet-of-paper-can/) Thomas Elwa Edison's > [“Make decisions that will benefit you and family. Don’t let anyone decide for you. It’s your future that is at stake. It’s time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piro-j-m/make-decisions-that-will-benefit-you-and-family-don-t-let-anyone/) [Piro J.M](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/piro-j-m/) > [When we get to the future, I'll decide the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-we-get-to-the-future-i-ll-decide-the-future/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The dark clouds hanging over our government can be lifted and replaced with a bright future. But, it all depends on whether we let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/the-dark-clouds-hanging-over-our-government-can-be-lifted-and/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) ## More by Benjamin E. Mays > [He who starts behind in the great race of life must forever remain behind or run faster than the man in front.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/he-who-starts-behind-in-the-great-race-of-life-must-forever-remain/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-of-life-doesn-t-lie-in-not-reaching-your-goal-the-tragedy/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency; not in our doing too much, but rather in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-of-life-is-often-not-in-our-failure-but-rather-in-our/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Man is what his dreams are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/man-is-what-his-dreams-are/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Failure isn't in not reaching your goal but in having no goal to reach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/failure-isn-t-in-not-reaching-your-goal-but-in-having-no-goal-to-reach/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Not failure, but low aim is sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/not-failure-but-low-aim-is-sin/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [If what is communicated is false, it can hardly be called communication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/if-what-is-communicated-is-false-it-can-hardly-be-called-communication/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [ \[H\]owever hard the road, however difficult today, tomorrow things will be better. Tomorrow may not be better, but we must believe that it will… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/h-owever-hard-the-road-however-difficult-today-tomorrow-things-will/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [Whatever you do, do it so well that people looking on will feel that the task was reserved especially for you by God Himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/whatever-you-do-do-it-so-well-that-people-looking-on-will-feel-that/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [“It is born in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching the goal. The tragedy of life lies in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/it-is-born-in-mind-that-the-tragedy-of-life-does-not-lie-in-not/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [A child must learn early to believe that she is somebody worthwhile, and that she can do many praiseworthy things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/a-child-must-learn-early-to-believe-that-she-is-somebody-worthwhile/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The tragedy of life is not found in failure but complacency. Not in you doing too much, but doing too little. Not in you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-tragedy-of-life-is-not-found-in-failure-but-complacency-not-in/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [It isn't a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/it-isn-t-a-disgrace-not-to-reach-the-stars-but-it-is-a-disgrace-to/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [The creation of the spiritual was no accident. It was a creation born of necessity, so that the slave might more adequately adjust himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-creation-of-the-spiritual-was-no-accident-it-was-a-creation-born/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) > [. . . the circumference of life cannot be rightly drawn until the center is set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-e-mays/the-circumference-of-life-cannot-be-rightly-drawn-until-the-center-is/) [Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) [Explore all 30 Benjamin E. Mays quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-e-mays/) ## More Determination quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) Ted Martinez > [In 1990, when they asked me to shoot a cover for 'British Vogue' to convey my personal vision of a woman, I explained that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lindbergh/in-1990-when-they-asked-me-to-shoot-a-cover-for-british-vogue-to/) [Peter Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lindbergh/) > [“It is not the force of the wind, but the depth of the roots.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/it-is-not-the-force-of-the-wind-but-the-depth-of-the-roots/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-not-willing-to-learn-no-one-can-help-you-if-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-as-much-as-government-can-do-and-must-do-it-is-ultimately-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't let a breath escape from your body without Krishna's name. That should be our determination throughout our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/don-t-let-a-breath-escape-from-your-body-without-krishna-s-name-that/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/) [Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/) > [“Making a decision takes a moment, living a decision takes a life-time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherif-a-el-mawardy/making-a-decision-takes-a-moment-living-a-decision-takes-a-life-time/) [Sherif A. El-Mawardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherif-a-el-mawardy/) > [“Fate and future both are servant to the determined, for they are nothing but creation of human determination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/fate-and-future-both-are-servant-to-the-determined-for-they-are/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-cannot-go-back-in-time-and-change-the-past-but-we-can-repent-the/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [“She felt wild and unruly, determined and free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/she-felt-wild-and-unruly-determined-and-free/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) > [“The real failure is not the one who falls down, it's the one who refuses to get up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/habeeb-akande/the-real-failure-is-not-the-one-who-falls-down-it-s-the-one-who/) [Habeeb Akande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/habeeb-akande/) > [“I AM ALL ABOUT SELF-DETERMINATION. Will. Control. I determine my path in life. I decide my failures and successes. Screw fate. Destiny can kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-chase/i-am-all-about-self-determination-will-control-i-determine-my-path-in/) [Emma Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-chase/) [Browse all 3,068 Determination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is not your environment, it is you- the quality of your mind, the integrity of your soul and the determination of your will that will decide your future and shape your life.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Benjamin E. 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