---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ... sometimes we breathe because we have…"
description: "\"“ ... sometimes we breathe because we have to, not because we want to ...”\" — Jillian Cantor"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bff/jillian-cantor-52081_breathe_sometimes-we-breathe-because-we-have-to_193496.jpg"
---

#  ... sometimes we breathe because we have to, not because…

![“... sometimes we breathe because we have to, not because we want to ...” quote by Jillian Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bff/jillian-cantor-52081_breathe_sometimes-we-breathe-because-we-have-to_193496.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bff/jillian-cantor-52081_breathe_sometimes-we-breathe-because-we-have-to_193496.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bff/jillian-cantor-52081_breathe_sometimes-we-breathe-because-we-have-to_193496.jpg)

> ““ ... sometimes we breathe because we have to, not because we want to ...””

[Jillian Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-cantor/)

## About This Quote

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

We often do essential out of necessity rather than desire, highlighting the tension between duty and longing.

**In simple terms:** We breathe because we must, not because we want.

Key Takeaway

Recognize when actions are obligatory versus chosen.

Themes

duty desire human nature

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical observational

When to use this quote

- daily routines
- work obligations
- personal relationships
- health habits

Key Concepts

physiology motivation existential tension

Questions to Reflect On

- When do you feel your obligations become passions?
- How can you find joy in necessary tasks?

A Different Perspective

The quote may overlook moments when necessity can become desire over time.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Breathe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathe/) [Breathe Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathe-want-270297/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/)

## Related quotes

> [I didn’t ask. Some things are better left unsaid. He looked at me and I shivered. I never get enough of him. Never will.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/i-didn-t-ask-some-things-are-better-left-unsaid-he-looked-at-me-and-i/)

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

> [Cause I can't fake, and I can't hate, but it's my heart that's about to break. You're all I need, I'm on my knees.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/obeyindie/cause-i-can-t-fake-and-i-can-t-hate-but-it-s-my-heart-that-s-about-to/)

[Obeyindie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/obeyindie/)

> [“who wants to live in an ivory tower when there is fresh air to breathe anyway? I want to be outside with the misfits,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-bessey/who-wants-to-live-in-an-ivory-tower-when-there-is-fresh-air-to/)

[Sarah Bessey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-bessey/)

> [“Kissing Ally would be so easy. Touching her, holding her, tasting her…it’d be like breathing. I want to breathe. I want to inhale her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-l-jennings/kissing-ally-would-be-so-easy-touching-her-holding-her-tasting-her-it/)

[S.L. Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-l-jennings/)

> [Don't leave, cause you're my oxygen, without you I won't breathe. You're everything I want, need. For you I wear my heart on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wiz-khalifa/don-t-leave-cause-you-re-my-oxygen-without-you-i-won-t-breathe-you-re/)

[Wiz Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wiz-khalifa/)

> [BE REAL Bring it on- And let truth be my existence. Value my life- And tell me like it is. Bark at me when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-real-bring-it-on-and-let-truth-be-my-existence-value-my-life-and/)

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

> [When I'm around him, I can't breathe, and when I'm not around him, I want to be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-m-around-him-i-can-t-breathe-and-when-i-m-not-around-him-i/)

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

> [“Breathe, we want to tell Avery. Feel yourself breathe. Because that is as much a part of your body as anything else. Avery, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/breathe-we-want-to-tell-avery-feel-yourself-breathe-because-that-is/)

[David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/)

> [Don't leave, cause your my oxygen without you I won't breathe Your everything I want, need, for you I wear my heart on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wiz-khalifa/don-t-leave-cause-your-my-oxygen-without-you-i-won-t-breathe-your/)

[Wiz Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wiz-khalifa/)

> [“When you just breathe on me, I want you. Being in your arms will melt me. Being naked with you might kill me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-anastasia/when-you-just-breathe-on-me-i-want-you-being-in-your-arms-will-melt/)

[Debra Anastasia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-anastasia/)

> [See you, breathe you, I want to be you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-veronicas/see-you-breathe-you-i-want-to-be-you/)

[The Veronicas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-veronicas/)

> [He lives. I breathe. I want. Him. Always. Fire to my ice. Ice to my fever. -Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/he-lives-i-breathe-i-want-him-always-fire-to-my-ice-ice-to-my-fever/)

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

> [“He looked at me and I shivered. I never get enough of him. Never will. He lives. I breathe. I want. Him. Always. Fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/he-looked-at-me-and-i-shivered-i-never-get-enough-of-him-never-will/)

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

> [Want to breathe again, want to smile with all MY HEART again, want to LIVE again, want to love again, now that I let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonnet-to-philip/want-to-breathe-again-want-to-smile-with-all-my-heart-again-want-to/)

[Sonnet To Philip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonnet-to-philip/)

> [“Well come and stand a little bit closer, breathe in and get a bit higher. You'll ever know what hit you when I get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savage-garden/well-come-and-stand-a-little-bit-closer-breathe-in-and-get-a-bit/)

[Savage Garden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savage-garden/)

## More by Jillian Cantor

> [“You have to love someone to yell at them so intensely; you have to care so unbelievably much that your anger explodes and burns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-cantor/you-have-to-love-someone-to-yell-at-them-so-intensely-you-have-to/)

[Jillian Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-cantor/)

> [“It was crazy the way I could break this glass, shatter it so quickly with just one false move, but I could not kill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-cantor/it-was-crazy-the-way-i-could-break-this-glass-shatter-it-so-quickly/)

[Jillian Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-cantor/)

> [“Whereas it was so hard for people to break, but we could get sick or die in what seemed like a matter of seconds.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-cantor/whereas-it-was-so-hard-for-people-to-break-but-we-could-get-sick-or/)

[Jillian Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-cantor/)

> [“Shelby is so gullible; she believes every word I say to her, as if it is so easy just to believe the best in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-cantor/shelby-is-so-gullible-she-believes-every-word-i-say-to-her-as-if-it/)

[Jillian Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-cantor/)

> [“There isn't just one ending, one answer, one person who can make us happy, or not. Maybe we can all begin again, become different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-cantor/there-isn-t-just-one-ending-one-answer-one-person-who-can-make-us/)

[Jillian Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-cantor/)

> [“Lying can be a second skin, but when you are called out on that lie, it can become all too easy for that skin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-cantor/lying-can-be-a-second-skin-but-when-you-are-called-out-on-that-lie-it/)

[Jillian Cantor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-cantor/)

[Explore all 7 Jillian Cantor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-cantor/)

## More Breathe quotes

> [“Well come and stand a little bit closer, breathe in and get a bit higher. You'll ever know what hit you when I get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savage-garden/well-come-and-stand-a-little-bit-closer-breathe-in-and-get-a-bit/)

[Savage Garden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savage-garden/)

> [I like fantasy, but I don't live and breathe fantasy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/i-like-fantasy-but-i-don-t-live-and-breathe-fantasy/)

[Lauren Schmidt Hissrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-schmidt-hissrich/)

> [“Live your dreams. Breathe your dreams. Never give up on your dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avijeet-das/live-your-dreams-breathe-your-dreams-never-give-up-on-your-dreams/)

[Avijeet Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avijeet-das/)

> [And wheresoever, in his rich creation, Sweet music breathes--in wave, or bird, or soul-- 'Tis but the faint and far reverberation Of that great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-sargent-osgood/and-wheresoever-in-his-rich-creation-sweet-music-breathes-in-wave-or/)

[Frances Sargent Osgood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-sargent-osgood/)

> [Dawn's faint breath breathes with your mouth at the ends of empty streets. Gray light your eyes, sweet drops of dawn on dark hills.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-pavese/dawn-s-faint-breath-breathes-with-your-mouth-at-the-ends-of-empty/)

[Cesare Pavese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-pavese/)

> [Why couldn't Jesus command us to obsess over everything, to try to control and manipulate people, to try not to breathe at all, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/why-couldn-t-jesus-command-us-to-obsess-over-everything-to-try-to/)

[Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/)

> [...As the disparity between the rich and the poor grows, the fight to corner resources is intensifying. To push through their "sweetheart deals," to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/as-the-disparity-between-the-rich-and-the-poor-grows-the-fight-to/)

[Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/)

> [There were people asking 'Can women be funny?' People still ask that. It's like asking: 'Can women breathe in and out?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-walters/there-were-people-asking-can-women-be-funny-people-still-ask-that-it/)

[Julie Walters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-walters/)

> [We need to be more conversant with it because science is in our lives. It's in everything. It's in the food we eat. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-alda/we-need-to-be-more-conversant-with-it-because-science-is-in-our-lives/)

[Alan Alda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-alda/)

> [“Before we can make seismic professional, economic, and sociological changes, we have to squeeze out of our Spanx and remember how it feels to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-hays-coomer/before-we-can-make-seismic-professional-economic-and-sociological/)

[Sarah Hays Coomer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-hays-coomer/)

> [Manchester United breathe football. When I have to make hard decisions, I always listen to little boy inside me and what he wants. That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-van-persie/manchester-united-breathe-football-when-i-have-to-make-hard-decisions/)

[Robin van Persie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-van-persie/)

> [I drink to feel / I smoke to breathe / Just look what love / Has done to me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kacey-musgraves/i-drink-to-feel-i-smoke-to-breathe-just-look-what-love-has-done-to-me/)

[Kacey Musgraves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kacey-musgraves/)

> [Wherever you are is the perfect place to awaken. This moment is the exact place to practice compassion and loving awareness. You have all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wherever-you-are-is-the-perfect-place-to-awaken-this-moment-is-the/)

[Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/)

> [If I had lost a leg, I would tell them, instead of a boy, no one would ever ask me if I was 'over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-edwards/if-i-had-lost-a-leg-i-would-tell-them-instead-of-a-boy-no-one-would/)

[Elizabeth Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-edwards/)

> [In some ways, what I learned is that you can take a character and breathe with them, and its up to the audience to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aden-young/in-some-ways-what-i-learned-is-that-you-can-take-a-character-and/)

[Aden Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aden-young/)

[Browse all 2,793 Breathe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breathe/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“ ... sometimes we breathe because we have to, not because we want to ...”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Jillian Cantor"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-cantor/sometimes-we-breathe-because-we-have-to-not-because-we-want-to/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Breathe"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-cantor/sometimes-we-breathe-because-we-have-to-not-because-we-want-to/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bff/jillian-cantor-52081_breathe_sometimes-we-breathe-because-we-have-to_193496.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bff/jillian-cantor-52081_breathe_sometimes-we-breathe-because-we-have-to_193496.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bff/jillian-cantor-52081_breathe_sometimes-we-breathe-because-we-have-to_193496.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“... sometimes we breathe because we have to, not because we want to ...” — Jillian Cantor",
                "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": "Jillian Cantor",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jillian-cantor/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“ ... sometimes we breathe because...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-cantor/sometimes-we-breathe-because-we-have-to-not-because-we-want-to/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jillian-cantor/sometimes-we-breathe-because-we-have-to-not-because-we-want-to/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
