--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An individual has not started living…" description: "\"“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humani..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5a/joshua-becker-21583_identity_an-individual-has-not-started-living-unt_2944207.jpg" --- # An individual has not started living until he can rise… ![“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.” quote by Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5a/joshua-becker-21583_identity_an-individual-has-not-started-living-unt_2944207.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5a/joshua-becker-21583_identity_an-individual-has-not-started-living-unt_2944207.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5a/joshua-becker-21583_identity_an-individual-has-not-started-living-unt_2944207.jpg) > ““An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.”” [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True living requires transcending self‑interest to embrace collective humanity. **In simple terms:** Live beyond self‑concern. Key Takeaway Think beyond yourself. Themes humanity growth self‑transcendence purpose Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - volunteering - activism - community building - education Key Concepts ethics philosophy social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What does “rising above” look like for you? - How can you balance personal needs with collective good? A Different Perspective Self‑interest can be hard to overcome. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Concerns Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concerns-humanity-2632022/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Individualistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individualistic/) [Individualistic Concerns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individualistic-concerns-4006224/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Luther King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/luther-king/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) ## Related quotes > [No man (sic) has learned to live until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/no-man-sic-has-learned-to-live-until-he-can-rise-above-the-narrow/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [An individual has not begun to live until he can rise above the narrow horizons of his particular individualistic concerns to the broader concerns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/an-individual-has-not-begun-to-live-until-he-can-rise-above-the/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/an-individual-has-not-started-living-until-he-can-rise-above-the/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The American Dream is individualistic. Martin Luther King's dream was collective. The American Dream says, "I can engage in upward mobility and live the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/the-american-dream-is-individualistic-martin-luther-king-s-dream-was/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [A political life, I've often said, is a continuing education in human nature, including one's own. My involvement on the ground floor of two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/a-political-life-i-ve-often-said-is-a-continuing-education-in-human/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [I am a man, and whatever concerns humanity is of interest to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/i-am-a-man-and-whatever-concerns-humanity-is-of-interest-to-me/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [In the post-individualistic era, science and spirituality will become allies, and human beings will realize a vast potentiality now only dimly felt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/in-the-post-individualistic-era-science-and-spirituality-will-become/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [In Savasana or in meditation, the light of the eyes is drawn towards the lotus of the heart, so that the seat of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-k-s-iyengar/in-savasana-or-in-meditation-the-light-of-the-eyes-is-drawn-towards/) [B.K.S. Iyengar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-k-s-iyengar/) > [ I think ultimately, people are selfish in that department \[blues\], in a good way - the reason we're attracted to art is because it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-hansard/i-think-ultimately-people-are-selfish-in-that-department-blues-in-a/) [Glen Hansard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-hansard/) > [Be yourself! Be individualistic!' he called out after me. 'But for God's sake get your hair cut. You look like an oddball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-zindel/be-yourself-be-individualistic-he-called-out-after-me-but-for-god-s/) [Paul Zindel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-zindel/) > [The only truly individualistic health-care choice - where you receive care that is unpolluted by anyone else's funds - is to forgo insurance altogether,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-frank/the-only-truly-individualistic-health-care-choice-where-you-receive/) [Thomas Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-frank/) > [...Individualistic material progress and the desire to gain prestige by coming out on top have taken over from the sense of fellowship, compassion and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/individualistic-material-progress-and-the-desire-to-gain-prestige-by/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [The weird thing about metal fans is we're all so maladjusted in a lot of ways. We're individualistic and opinionated and severe in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-taylor/the-weird-thing-about-metal-fans-is-we-re-all-so-maladjusted-in-a-lot/) [Corey Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-taylor/) > [Today it is the skeptics who are the social conformists, though because of powerful intellectual propaganda they continue to enjoy thinking of themselves as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/today-it-is-the-skeptics-who-are-the-social-conformists-though/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) ## More by Joshua Becker > [“We have too quickly bought into the lie that we’ll be happier with more—and as a result, too often miss the joy that comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/we-have-too-quickly-bought-into-the-lie-that-we-ll-be-happier-with/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Clutter is a form of visual distraction, and everything in our vision pulls at our attention at least a little. The less clutter, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/clutter-is-a-form-of-visual-distraction-and-everything-in-our-vision/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Removing possessions begins to turn back our desire for more as we find freedom, happiness, and abundance in owning less. And”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/removing-possessions-begins-to-turn-back-our-desire-for-more-as-we/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Any half-awake materialist well knows – that which you hold holds you.” — Tom Robbins”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/any-half-awake-materialist-well-knows-that-which-you-hold-holds-you/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts from it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/minimalism-is-the-intentional-promotion-of-the-things-we-most-value/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Successful people are adamant about saying ‘no’ to things that do not align with their mission.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/successful-people-are-adamant-about-saying-no-to-things-that-do-not/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Overscheduled children lose the space to simply be with themselves and learn the art of being alone. In our noisy, busy world, the importance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/overscheduled-children-lose-the-space-to-simply-be-with-themselves/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Often it is those who live quietly, modestly, and contentedly with a simple life who are the happiest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/often-it-is-those-who-live-quietly-modestly-and-contentedly-with-a/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Whatever your motivation for downsizing, you're going to love the benefits that come with this change. Let me highlight a few: 1. More money...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/whatever-your-motivation-for-downsizing-you-re-going-to-love-the/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“There is more joy to be found in owning less than can ever be found in organizing more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/there-is-more-joy-to-be-found-in-owning-less-than-can-ever-be-found/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Who knows what advantages you might find in a smaller home, even beyond what you were initially hoping for, after you move in? Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/who-knows-what-advantages-you-might-find-in-a-smaller-home-even/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“...the Diderot effect describes the tendency for one purchase to lead to others... First a fishing pole, then tackle boxes full of fishing gear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/the-diderot-effect-describes-the-tendency-for-one-purchase-to-lead-to/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Purposefully owning less begins to take us out of the unwinnable game of comparison.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/purposefully-owning-less-begins-to-take-us-out-of-the-unwinnable-game/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“Own less stuff. Enjoy more freedom. It really is that simple.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/own-less-stuff-enjoy-more-freedom-it-really-is-that-simple/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) > [“  SIMPLICITY IS FREEDOM FROM THE PASSION TO POSSESS Modern culture has bought into the lie that the good life is found in accumulating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-becker/simplicity-is-freedom-from-the-passion-to-possess-modern-culture-has/) [Joshua Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) [Explore all 29 Joshua Becker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-becker/) ## More Identity quotes > [I don't doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-don-t-doubt-that-straight-white-men-have-identity-issues-and/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. Sign language is so beautiful. It gives you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-ayling-ellis/in-the-hearing-world-i-m-constantly-having-to-lip-read-and-trying-to/) [Rose Ayling-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-ayling-ellis/) > [I think the next 50 years are going to present the human race with challenges that so far exceed the limitations of geopolitical boundaries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-think-the-next-50-years-are-going-to-present-the-human-race-with/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [You have expressive nationalism, I mean very identity driven, which shaped each other a lot of that in the Middle East.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subrahmanyam-jaishankar/you-have-expressive-nationalism-i-mean-very-identity-driven-which/) [Subrahmanyam Jaishankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subrahmanyam-jaishankar/) > [Family over friends, because real friends are family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/family-over-friends-because-real-friends-are-family/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think everybody, or the great majority of human beings, have this aspiration to become other: to live a different identity, at least for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/i-think-everybody-or-the-great-majority-of-human-beings-have-this/) [Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/) > [The language we share is at the core of our identity as citizens, and our ticket to full participation in American political life. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-i-hayakawa/the-language-we-share-is-at-the-core-of-our-identity-as-citizens-and/) [S. I. 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