--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We do not attract what we want but who we…" description: "\"“We do not attract what we want but who we are.”\" — James Allen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/james-allen-1607_attract_we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-who-w_2052829.png" --- # We do not attract what we want but who we are. ![“We do not attract what we want but who we are.” quote by James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/james-allen-1607_attract_we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-who-w_2052829.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/james-allen-1607_attract_we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-who-w_2052829.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/james-allen-1607_attract_we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-who-w_2052829.png) > ““We do not attract what we want but who we are.”” [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our thoughts shape the people we attract; inner character determines external relationships. **In simple terms:** Who we are draws similar people. Key Takeaway Cultivate inner virtues. Themes self‑growth law of attraction character relationships Mood reflective philosophical encouraging Type advice maxim philosophical When to use this quote - friendship circles - romantic partners - professional networks Key Concepts personal development mindset inner work Questions to Reflect On - What inner qualities do you nurture? - How do your thoughts affect your relationships? A Different Perspective External change is limited without inner change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attract/) [Attract Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attract-want-639769/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/men-do-not-attract-that-which-they-want-but-that-which-they-are/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [We must learn to apply all that we know so that we can attract all that we want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/we-must-learn-to-apply-all-that-we-know-so-that-we-can-attract-all/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [We do not attract what we want, But what we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-lane-allen/we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-what-we-are/) [James Lane Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-lane-allen/) > [It's a dangerous world out there when it comes to relationships. And I believe we attract what we are. So I want to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mya/it-s-a-dangerous-world-out-there-when-it-comes-to-relationships-and-i/) [Mya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mya/) > [You attract what you are, not what you want. So if you want it then reflect it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gaskins/you-attract-what-you-are-not-what-you-want-so-if-you-want-it-then/) [Tony Gaskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gaskins/) > [Women can learn a lot about a guy because women, for the most part, want a guy to care about their feelings, to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-millan/women-can-learn-a-lot-about-a-guy-because-women-for-the-most-part/) [Cesar Millan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-millan/) > [The law of attraction is this: You don't attract what you want. You attract what you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/the-law-of-attraction-is-this-you-don-t-attract-what-you-want-you/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [When you can feel that you already have what you want, then you will attract what you want. In fact, you already have it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-vitale/when-you-can-feel-that-you-already-have-what-you-want-then-you-will/) [Joe Vitale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-vitale/) > [“In life we do not attract what we want, we attract who we are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moffat-machingura/in-life-we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-we-attract-who-we-are/) [Moffat Machingura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moffat-machingura/) > [But if we see ourselves as connected to God, or as reconnecting to our Source through meditation, then we can attract anything we want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/but-if-we-see-ourselves-as-connected-to-god-or-as-reconnecting-to-our/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [To attract something that you want, become as joyful as you think that thing would make you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/to-attract-something-that-you-want-become-as-joyful-as-you-think-that/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) > [The outer conditions of a person's life will always be found to be harmoniously related to his inner state...Men do not attract that which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/the-outer-conditions-of-a-person-s-life-will-always-be-found-to-be/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [“The law of attraction doesn't attract what we want, it only attracts the opposite!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-florian/the-law-of-attraction-doesn-t-attract-what-we-want-it-only-attracts/) [Fernando Florian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-florian/) > [If you focus upon whatever you want, you will attract whatever you want. If you focus upon the lack of whatever you want, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/if-you-focus-upon-whatever-you-want-you-will-attract-whatever-you/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > [The resources of our continent attract, more than ever, the interests of rich countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-bongo/the-resources-of-our-continent-attract-more-than-ever-the-interests/) [Omar Bongo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-bongo/) ## More by James Allen > [A person is limited only by the thoughts that he chooses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/a-person-is-limited-only-by-the-thoughts-that-he-chooses/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [“The soul attracts that which it secretly harbours; that which it loves, and also that which it fears;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/the-soul-attracts-that-which-it-secretly-harbours-that-which-it-loves/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [“All achievements, whether in the business, intellectual, or spiritual world, are the result of definitely directed thought, are governed by the same law and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/all-achievements-whether-in-the-business-intellectual-or-spiritual/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [“Cause and effect is as absolute and undeviating in the hidden realm of thought as in the world of visible and material things. Mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/cause-and-effect-is-as-absolute-and-undeviating-in-the-hidden-realm/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/men-do-not-attract-that-which-they-want-but-that-which-they-are/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much; he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/he-who-would-accomplish-little-must-sacrifice-little-he-who-would/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [In all human affairs there are efforts, and there are results, and the strength of effort is the measure of the results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/in-all-human-affairs-there-are-efforts-and-there-are-results-and-the/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [The knowledge of the causal power of thought is the basis of all their (Hebrew) prophecies, as it is the basis of all real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/the-knowledge-of-the-causal-power-of-thought-is-the-basis-of-all/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [“mind is the master-weaver, both of the inner garment of character and the outer garment of circumstance, and that, as they may have hitherto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/mind-is-the-master-weaver-both-of-the-inner-garment-of-character-and/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [“The thoughtless, the ignorant, and the indolent, seeing only the apparent effects of things and not the things themselves, talk of luck, of fortune,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/the-thoughtless-the-ignorant-and-the-indolent-seeing-only-the/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/a-man-sooner-or-later-discovers-that-he-is-the-master-gardener-of-his/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [Rely upon your own judgment; be true to your own conscience; follow the light that is within you; all outward lights are so many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/rely-upon-your-own-judgment-be-true-to-your-own-conscience-follow-the/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [“By the right choice and true application of thought, man ascends to the Divine Perfection; by the abuse and wrong application of thought, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/by-the-right-choice-and-true-application-of-thought-man-ascends-to/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [“Without self-discipline a man drifts lower and lower, approximating more and more nearly to the beast, until at last he grovels, a lost creature,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/without-self-discipline-a-man-drifts-lower-and-lower-approximating/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [Spiritual meditation is the pathway to Divinity. It is a mystic ladder which reaches from earth to heaven, from error to Truth, from pain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/spiritual-meditation-is-the-pathway-to-divinity-it-is-a-mystic-ladder/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) [Explore all 220 James Allen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) ## More Attract quotes > [The resources of our continent attract, more than ever, the interests of rich countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omar-bongo/the-resources-of-our-continent-attract-more-than-ever-the-interests/) [Omar Bongo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omar-bongo/) > [“A session of boasting won't attract any real friends.  It will set you up on a pedestal, however, making you a clearer target.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/a-session-of-boasting-won-t-attract-any-real-friends-it-will-set-you/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [The actions of the University in my case make it abundantly clear that the Administration's rhetoric about Harvard's desire to attract and retain the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-geller/the-actions-of-the-university-in-my-case-make-it-abundantly-clear/) [Margaret Geller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-geller/) > [You will attract everything that you require. If it's money you need... you'll attract it. If it's people you need... you'll attract it. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/you-will-attract-everything-that-you-require-if-it-s-money-you-need/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [See yourself in abundance and you will attract it. It works every time, with every person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/see-yourself-in-abundance-and-you-will-attract-it-it-works-every-time/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/men-do-not-attract-that-which-they-want-but-that-which-they-are/) [James Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/) > [“Of Course you can attract someone by Beautiful body ,but if you don't have beautiful soul than they will be with you only until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-zaki-ansari/of-course-you-can-attract-someone-by-beautiful-body-but-if-you-don-t/) [Mohammed Zaki Ansari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-zaki-ansari/) > [It's no surprise companies that quickly grow in value attract those who may want to also profit from the hard work of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-spiegel/it-s-no-surprise-companies-that-quickly-grow-in-value-attract-those/) [Evan Spiegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-spiegel/) > [If you want to attract people, you need to be like people you enjoy being with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-attract-people-you-need-to-be-like-people-you-enjoy/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you're thinking of debt, that's what you're going to attract.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/if-you-re-thinking-of-debt-that-s-what-you-re-going-to-attract/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“See yourself living in abundance and you will attract it. It works every time, with every person. As”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/see-yourself-living-in-abundance-and-you-will-attract-it-it-works/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [When you're great! You attract great! When you're average! You attract average!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/when-you-re-great-you-attract-great-when-you-re-average-you-attract/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [To attract more money, you must be attractive, in the sense that people will want and prefer your products or service over those of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-canfield/to-attract-more-money-you-must-be-attractive-in-the-sense-that-people/) [Jack Canfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-canfield/) > [“The "Law of Attraction" simply states: “What you think about, you bring about.” Whatever you focus on will expand and attract more of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/the-law-of-attraction-simply-states-what-you-think-about-you-bring/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [Maybe the level of people you attract is what you supposed to attract. Maybe the few people I attract are the ones who know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/redman/maybe-the-level-of-people-you-attract-is-what-you-supposed-to-attract/) [Redman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/redman/) [Browse all 496 Attract quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attract/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We do not attract what we want but who we are.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James Allen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-who-we-are/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attract" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-who-we-are/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/james-allen-1607_attract_we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-who-w_2052829.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/james-allen-1607_attract_we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-who-w_2052829.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/178/james-allen-1607_attract_we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-who-w_2052829.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We do not attract what we want but who we are.” — James Allen", "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": "James Allen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-allen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We do not attract what we...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-who-we-are/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-allen/we-do-not-attract-what-we-want-but-who-we-are/#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 } } ] } ```