--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I want to describe myself, not be…" description: "\"I want to describe myself, not be described by others.\" — Johnnie Cochran" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e68/johnnie-cochran-28489_describe-myself_i-want-to-describe-myself-not-be-describ_795329.jpg" --- # I want to describe myself, not be described by others. ![“I want to describe myself, not be described by others.” quote by Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e68/johnnie-cochran-28489_describe-myself_i-want-to-describe-myself-not-be-describ_795329.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e68/johnnie-cochran-28489_describe-myself_i-want-to-describe-myself-not-be-describ_795329.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e68/johnnie-cochran-28489_describe-myself_i-want-to-describe-myself-not-be-describ_795329.jpg) > “I want to describe myself, not be described by others.” [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self-definition is essential; let others not dictate your identity. **In simple terms:** Define yourself, not others. Key Takeaway Own your narrative. Themes identity self‑definition autonomy Mood confident assertive Type inspirational personal When to use this quote - career planning - social media profiles - interview preparation Key Concepts psychology personal branding Questions to Reflect On - What defines you beyond others' views? - How do you maintain authenticity? A Different Perspective External labels can be persuasive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Describe myself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/describe-myself/) [Described](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/described-392113/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Described](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-described-6100015/) ## Related quotes > [“Law in its ideal form might be described as a ‘once-and-for-all’ command that is directed to unknown people and that is abstracted from all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-a-hayek/law-in-its-ideal-form-might-be-described-as-a-once-and-for-all/) [Friedrich A. Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-a-hayek/) > [“Now where's this artist?" His eyes darted around the room, landed on Gennie and clung. She thought she saw surprise, quickly veiled, then amusement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/now-where-s-this-artist-his-eyes-darted-around-the-room-landed-on/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) > [Lovemaking seems all too absurd when described.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-simmons/lovemaking-seems-all-too-absurd-when-described/) [Dan Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-simmons/) > [Some full professors could more accurately be described as empty professors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/some-full-professors-could-more-accurately-be-described-as-empty/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [The description is not the described.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/the-description-is-not-the-described/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [“You’re nuts.” “Genius is often described as such.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-mather/you-re-nuts-genius-is-often-described-as-such/) [Matthew Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-mather/) > [I have described myself as being 'gently eccentric.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-radcliffe/i-have-described-myself-as-being-gently-eccentric/) [Daniel Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-radcliffe/) > [I have seldom been described as shy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/i-have-seldom-been-described-as-shy/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“Experience is something you have to go through yourself to be able to fully described the act.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/experience-is-something-you-have-to-go-through-yourself-to-be-able-to/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The struggle, if it were one, need not be described.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/the-struggle-if-it-were-one-need-not-be-described/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [Maybe that's why people take pictures of themselves, to avoid being described.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-july/maybe-that-s-why-people-take-pictures-of-themselves-to-avoid-being/) [Miranda July](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-july/) > [ “Nothing has really happened unless it's been described \[in words\].” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/nothing-has-really-happened-unless-it-s-been-described-in-words/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [Some things are better done than described.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hunt-morgan/some-things-are-better-done-than-described/) [Thomas Hunt Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hunt-morgan/) > [“You’ve made yourself quite at home, I see.” “You’ve a nice one here, Kerry,” he said quite sincerely, his smile still sparkling with equal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-kauffman/you-ve-made-yourself-quite-at-home-i-see-you-ve-a-nice-one-here-kerry/) [Donna Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-kauffman/) > [It amuses me when I'm described as 'chic.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-paradis/it-amuses-me-when-i-m-described-as-chic/) [Vanessa Paradis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-paradis/) ## More by Johnnie Cochran > [If it doen't make sense, you should find for the defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/if-it-doen-t-make-sense-you-should-find-for-the-defense/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [Jurors want courtroom lawyers to have some compassion and be nice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/jurors-want-courtroom-lawyers-to-have-some-compassion-and-be-nice/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [Black jurors sit on juries every day and convict black people every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/black-jurors-sit-on-juries-every-day-and-convict-black-people-every/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [If you commit perjury in a so-called first-degree murder case, and you're caught red-handed for the entire world to see, and you get only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/if-you-commit-perjury-in-a-so-called-first-degree-murder-case-and-you/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [I decided I wanted to be a lawyer when I was 11 years of age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/i-decided-i-wanted-to-be-a-lawyer-when-i-was-11-years-of-age/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [If it doesn't make sense, you should find for the defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/if-it-doesn-t-make-sense-you-should-find-for-the-defense/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [On January 10, 1963, I was sworn in as a lawyer, so next January 10 I will have practiced law for 40 years, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/on-january-10-1963-i-was-sworn-in-as-a-lawyer-so-next-january-10-i/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [Since the Puffy Combs case in New York, I will not try any more criminal cases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/since-the-puffy-combs-case-in-new-york-i-will-not-try-any-more/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [If it doesn't fit, you must acquit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/if-it-doesn-t-fit-you-must-acquit/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [If it doesn't make sense, you must find for the defense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/if-it-doesn-t-make-sense-you-must-find-for-the-defense/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [The president appoints the judges. 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It's a very delicate thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/an-opening-statement-is-like-a-guide-or-a-road-map-it-s-a-very/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [We've got to be judged by how we do in times of crisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/we-ve-got-to-be-judged-by-how-we-do-in-times-of-crisis/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) > [Money will determine whether the accused goes to prison or walks out of the courtroom a free man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/money-will-determine-whether-the-accused-goes-to-prison-or-walks-out/) [Johnnie Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) [Explore all 19 Johnnie Cochran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/) ## More Describe myself quotes > [I'd happily describe myself as a TV presenter now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-riley/i-d-happily-describe-myself-as-a-tv-presenter-now/) [Rachel Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-riley/) > [If I had to describe myself in one word its annoying...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine/if-i-had-to-describe-myself-in-one-word-its-annoying/) [Jasmine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine/) > [Would I describe myself as new Labour? I'm Labour, organised Labour. I think labels have a limited use and that's where you really get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-o-grady/would-i-describe-myself-as-new-labour-i-m-labour-organised-labour-i/) [Frances O'Grady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-o-grady/) > [Stubborn isn't a word I would use to describe myself; pigheaded is more appropriate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bloomberg/stubborn-isn-t-a-word-i-would-use-to-describe-myself-pigheaded-is/) [Michael Bloomberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bloomberg/) > [I would describe myself as a very plain but very honest person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taeyang/i-would-describe-myself-as-a-very-plain-but-very-honest-person/) [Taeyang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taeyang/) > [I would describe myself as a tallish, shy, middle-aged man who equally loves his work and his freedom. And a good liar!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-cattelan/i-would-describe-myself-as-a-tallish-shy-middle-aged-man-who-equally/) [Maurizio Cattelan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-cattelan/) > [I describe myself as someone who was always putting on a show, even when I was a little girl. I wanted to be an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ziskin/i-describe-myself-as-someone-who-was-always-putting-on-a-show-even/) [Laura Ziskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ziskin/) > [How would I describe myself? Three words: hard working, alpha male, jackhammermercilessinsatiable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-schrute/how-would-i-describe-myself-three-words-hard-working-alpha-male/) [Dwight Schrute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-schrute/) > [“Here there comes a practical question which has often troubled me. Whenever I go into a foreign country or a prison or any similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/here-there-comes-a-practical-question-which-has-often-troubled-me/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [I describe myself as a "spiritual sampler," raised Catholic, been Baptist, Methodist, and a Unity member.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-malveaux/i-describe-myself-as-a-spiritual-sampler-raised-catholic-been-baptist/) [Julianne Malveaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-malveaux/) > [I would describe myself as eclectic: Bohemian in thought and conservative in action - or maybe it's the other way around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ekta-kapoor/i-would-describe-myself-as-eclectic-bohemian-in-thought-and/) [Ekta Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ekta-kapoor/) > [I would describe myself as a filmmaker, period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chika-anadu/i-would-describe-myself-as-a-filmmaker-period/) [Chika Anadu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chika-anadu/) > [I love the idea of God, but it's not stylistically in keeping with the way I function. I would describe myself as an enthusiastic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-fisher/i-love-the-idea-of-god-but-it-s-not-stylistically-in-keeping-with-the/) [Carrie Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-fisher/) > [I would not describe myself as a political writer except in the sense that the personal is political, which is something that I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/i-would-not-describe-myself-as-a-political-writer-except-in-the-sense/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“I am too alone in the world, and yet not alone enough to make every moment holy. I am too tiny in this world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/i-am-too-alone-in-the-world-and-yet-not-alone-enough-to-make-every/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) [Browse all 139 Describe myself quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/describe-myself/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I want to describe myself, not be described by others.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johnnie Cochran" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/i-want-to-describe-myself-not-be-described-by-others/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Describe myself" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/i-want-to-describe-myself-not-be-described-by-others/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e68/johnnie-cochran-28489_describe-myself_i-want-to-describe-myself-not-be-describ_795329.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e68/johnnie-cochran-28489_describe-myself_i-want-to-describe-myself-not-be-describ_795329.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e68/johnnie-cochran-28489_describe-myself_i-want-to-describe-myself-not-be-describ_795329.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I want to describe myself, not be described by others.” — Johnnie Cochran", "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": "Johnnie Cochran", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnnie-cochran/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I want to describe myself, not...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/i-want-to-describe-myself-not-be-described-by-others/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnie-cochran/i-want-to-describe-myself-not-be-described-by-others/#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 } } ] } ```