---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We're the survivors. Not everyone is. But…"
description: "\"“We're the survivors. Not everyone is. But we are.”\" — Jennifer Egan"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/jennifer-egan-825_inspiration_we-re-the-survivors-not-everyone-is-but_1747539.jpg"
---

#  We're the survivors. Not everyone is. But we are.

![“We're the survivors. Not everyone is. But we are.” quote by Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/jennifer-egan-825_inspiration_we-re-the-survivors-not-everyone-is-but_1747539.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/jennifer-egan-825_inspiration_we-re-the-survivors-not-everyone-is-but_1747539.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/jennifer-egan-825_inspiration_we-re-the-survivors-not-everyone-is-but_1747539.jpg)

> ““We're the survivors. Not everyone is. But we are.””

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

## About This Quote

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

Affirms resilience of survivors, acknowledging that not everyone endures hardship.

**In simple terms:** Survivors persist despite loss.

Key Takeaway

Recognize survivor strength.

Themes

survival resilience community hope

Mood

empathetic hopeful

Type

inspirational reflective

When to use this quote

- support groups
- mental health counseling
- storytelling

Key Concepts

psychology of trauma collective memory

Questions to Reflect On

- What does survival mean to you?
- How can we support those who are not survivors?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Survivors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survivors/)

## Related quotes

> [“In Naples, there were kids who were just lost. You knew they were never going to get back to what they'd been, or have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/in-naples-there-were-kids-who-were-just-lost-you-knew-they-were-never/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [“Sasha's green eyes were right up against yours, the lashes interlocking. "In Naples," she said, "there were kids who were just lost. You knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/sasha-s-green-eyes-were-right-up-against-yours-the-lashes/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [When I was four or five years old, I heard a lot of stories about the Holocaust because both my parents were survivors. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-boltanski/when-i-was-four-or-five-years-old-i-heard-a-lot-of-stories-about-the/)

[Christian Boltanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-boltanski/)

> [In 'The Way Back' survivors were all ordinary people, and that's the whole point, that's who I felt these people should be, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-weir/in-the-way-back-survivors-were-all-ordinary-people-and-that-s-the/)

[Peter Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-weir/)

> [“In spite of the horror, in spite of the tragedy, in spite of the weeks of sleepless nights, I'm finally alive. I'm not pretending.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-bass/in-spite-of-the-horror-in-spite-of-the-tragedy-in-spite-of-the-weeks/)

[Ellen Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-bass/)

> [“Survivors are damaged to different degrees by their experiences. This does not depend on what happened physically. A Survivor who has been raped will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-ainscough/survivors-are-damaged-to-different-degrees-by-their-experiences-this/)

[Carolyn Ainscough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-ainscough/)

> [There are no survivors in my fights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennady-golovkin/there-are-no-survivors-in-my-fights/)

[Gennady Golovkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennady-golovkin/)

> [“There are no winners in battle. Just survivors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-e-knight/there-are-no-winners-in-battle-just-survivors/)

[E.E. Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-e-knight/)

> [“We're all being left out one way or the other. The survivors miss being heroes. The heroes miss being alive. The only ones not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-bass/we-re-all-being-left-out-one-way-or-the-other-the-survivors-miss/)

[Cynthia Bass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-bass/)

> [“By the time survivors are compelled to leave their psychologically abusive relationships, they do not see any other viable option but to leave. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-thomas/by-the-time-survivors-are-compelled-to-leave-their-psychologically/)

[Shannon Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-thomas/)

> [When I arrived in America, though I had left the war physically far behind, in my mind, the soldiers were still chasing to kill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loung-ung/when-i-arrived-in-america-though-i-had-left-the-war-physically-far/)

[Loung Ung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loung-ung/)

> [There was a reason these boys were still alive, though. Something made them stronger than the other kids, the ones who had died in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-higson/there-was-a-reason-these-boys-were-still-alive-though-something-made/)

[Charlie Higson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-higson/)

> [“Research on organised abuse emphasises the diversity of organised abuse cases, and the ways in which serious forms of child maltreatment cluster in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-salter/research-on-organised-abuse-emphasises-the-diversity-of-organised/)

[Michael Salter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-salter/)

> [Sometimes, Ms. Lane," he said, "one must break with one's past to embrace one's future. It is never an easy thing to do. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/sometimes-ms-lane-he-said-one-must-break-with-one-s-past-to-embrace/)

[Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/)

> [“You're a survivor. Each one of you. And survivors don't have the luxury of acting like regular people. We do what we have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deanna-roy/you-re-a-survivor-each-one-of-you-and-survivors-don-t-have-the-luxury/)

[Deanna Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deanna-roy/)

## More by Jennifer Egan

> [“Behind the desk was nothing but view-the whole city flung out in front of us the way street vendors fling out their towels packed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/behind-the-desk-was-nothing-but-view-the-whole-city-flung-out-in/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [I just think that, for my particular personality, feeling slightly invisible is always a help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-just-think-that-for-my-particular-personality-feeling-slightly/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [Between books, I have to throw out everything I did before, because the tools I've used to write the previous book will not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/between-books-i-have-to-throw-out-everything-i-did-before-because-the/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [As a reader and a writer, I'm happiest when apparently mutually exclusive states can somehow coexist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/as-a-reader-and-a-writer-i-m-happiest-when-apparently-mutually/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [I teach intermittently, and while I enjoy it, I don't find that it's a calling for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-teach-intermittently-and-while-i-enjoy-it-i-don-t-find-that-it-s-a/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [Like all failed experiments, that one taught me something I didn’t expect: one key ingredient of so-called experience is the delusional faith that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/like-all-failed-experiments-that-one-taught-me-something-i-didn-t/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [“Thousands of solar panels lift and tilt at the same time, in the same way. I clutch at Dad's arm: "Why are they doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/thousands-of-solar-panels-lift-and-tilt-at-the-same-time-in-the-same/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [It was the hat. He looked sweet in the hat. How could a man in a fuzzy blue hat have used human bones to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/it-was-the-hat-he-looked-sweet-in-the-hat-how-could-a-man-in-a-fuzzy/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [I was a stepchild in two different families. The hardest thing about being a stepchild is you know that in some way everything would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-was-a-stepchild-in-two-different-families-the-hardest-thing-about/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [“The seconds pass. I know what’s going on because it’s the same thing that always happens: give me something nice, something I love or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/the-seconds-pass-i-know-what-s-going-on-because-it-s-the-same-thing/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [I had this idea that I could hire myself out as a person to go on archeological digs and dig, without any training! I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-had-this-idea-that-i-could-hire-myself-out-as-a-person-to-go-on/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [At night, the house thick with sleep, she would peer out her bedroom window at the trees and sky and feel the presence of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/at-night-the-house-thick-with-sleep-she-would-peer-out-her-bedroom/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [I number my drafts, and by the time a book is done, I'll have 75 or 80 drafts of some sections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-number-my-drafts-and-by-the-time-a-book-is-done-i-ll-have-75-or-80/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [Read at the level at which you want to write. Reading is the nourishment that feeds the kind of writing you want to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/read-at-the-level-at-which-you-want-to-write-reading-is-the/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

> [I was a stepchild in two different families. The hardest thing about being a stepchild is you know that in some way everything would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/i-was-a-stepchild-in-two-different-families-the-hardest-thing-about-2/)

[Jennifer Egan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

[Explore all 358 Jennifer Egan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/)

## More Inspiration quotes

> [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/)

[H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/)

> [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/)

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

> [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/)

[Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/)

> [“Success is for a man whose stories of sruggles and chalenges are inspirations to and up coming generation..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelly-sanaba-c/success-is-for-a-man-whose-stories-of-sruggles-and-chalenges-are/)

Nelly sanaba .c

> [Loving you is the best feeling have ever had, and you loving me is the greater gift I have..I will be brave, I wont…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fash/loving-you-is-the-best-feeling-have-ever-had-and-you-loving-me-is-the/)

Fash

> [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/)

[St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/)

> [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/)

Isaiah Harden (Me

> [You make me feel brand new today. Even my day is full of trials and pain…Thanks for everything...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-lantapi/you-make-me-feel-brand-new-today-even-my-day-is-full-of-trials-and/)

[Richard Lantapi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-lantapi/)

> [I have learned that you can go anywhere you want to go and do anything you want to do and buy all the things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c-2/i-have-learned-that-you-can-go-anywhere-you-want-to-go-and-do/)

[C JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c-2/)

> [Every human creates his own problems. Problems are ones private property and we shouldnt meddle into them self-initiatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-papian/every-human-creates-his-own-problems-problems-are-ones-private/)

[Ruben Papian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-papian/)

> [“Serve in the grace of strength within thy soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/serve-in-the-grace-of-strength-within-thy-soul/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [Be proud of who you are &amp; who you represent.You are unique, there is no other exactly like you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/be-proud-of-who-you-are-who-you-represent-you-are-unique-there-is-no/)

[Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/)

> [Have a Blast; Life wont last! Make the best of the journey before it is over!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-a-blast-life-wont-last-make-the-best-of-the-journey-before-it-is/)

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

> [I'm just always looking forwards. I spend very little time, looking backwards.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-vaynerchuk/i-m-just-always-looking-forwards-i-spend-very-little-time-looking/)

[Gary Vaynerchuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-vaynerchuk/)

> [“Complete - Yourself! Others may only enhance your completeness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lashauna-d-hinton/complete-yourself-others-may-only-enhance-your-completeness/)

Lashauna D. Hinton

[Browse all 17,129 Inspiration quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“We're the survivors. Not everyone is. But we are.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jennifer Egan"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/we-re-the-survivors-not-everyone-is-but-we-are/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Inspiration"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/we-re-the-survivors-not-everyone-is-but-we-are/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/jennifer-egan-825_inspiration_we-re-the-survivors-not-everyone-is-but_1747539.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/jennifer-egan-825_inspiration_we-re-the-survivors-not-everyone-is-but_1747539.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ba/jennifer-egan-825_inspiration_we-re-the-survivors-not-everyone-is-but_1747539.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We're the survivors. Not everyone is. But we are.” — Jennifer Egan",
                "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": "Jennifer Egan",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-egan/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“We're the survivors. Not everyone is....",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/we-re-the-survivors-not-everyone-is-but-we-are/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-egan/we-re-the-survivors-not-everyone-is-but-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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
