--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be or not to be, that is NOT the…" description: "\"“To be or not to be, that is NOT the question. Rather, it should be, What do I want to be?”\" — D. L. Silverman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da3/d-l-silverman-106173_quote_to-be-or-not-to-be-that-is-not-the-quest_2003503.jpg" --- # To be or not to be, that is NOT the question. Rather, it… ![“To be or not to be, that is NOT the question. Rather, it should be, What do I want to be?” quote by D. L. Silverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da3/d-l-silverman-106173_quote_to-be-or-not-to-be-that-is-not-the-quest_2003503.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da3/d-l-silverman-106173_quote_to-be-or-not-to-be-that-is-not-the-quest_2003503.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/da3/d-l-silverman-106173_quote_to-be-or-not-to-be-that-is-not-the-quest_2003503.jpg) > ““To be or not to be, that is NOT the question. Rather, it should be, What do I want to be?”” [D. L. Silverman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-l-silverman/) ## 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 challenges the classic existential dilemma, urging personal definition of identity over abstract questioning. **In simple terms:** Define yourself rather than pondering existence. Key Takeaway Choose a personal goal. Themes identity self‑definition purpose Mood reflective motivational Type Question:1 Want:1 Question Want:0 When to use this quote - career planning - counseling - creative projects - personal journaling Key Concepts existentialism self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - What identity do you aspire to? - How does this reshape your priorities? A Different Perspective The phrasing may oversimplify complex philosophical debates. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Question](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question/) [Question Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question-want-797234/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [It’s no longer a question of can I do it. 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The question is what do you want to do?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-mcgarry/the-question-isn-t-what-i-would-have-done-the-question-is-what-do-you/) [Katie McGarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-mcgarry/) > [I think people hear the question they want to hear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-christie/i-think-people-hear-the-question-they-want-to-hear/) [Chris Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-christie/) > ["What do I want?" is your question. And what you want is always changing with the flow. 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