--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Always be a first-rate version of…" description: "\"“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of someone else”\" — Judy Garland" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/227/judy-garland-10020_version-of-yourself_always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourse_1042241.jpg" --- # Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a… ![“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of someone else” quote by Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/227/judy-garland-10020_version-of-yourself_always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourse_1042241.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/227/judy-garland-10020_version-of-yourself_always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourse_1042241.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/227/judy-garland-10020_version-of-yourself_always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourse_1042241.jpg) > ““Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of someone else”” [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Strive to be an authentic, high-quality version of yourself rather than a mediocre imitation of another. **In simple terms:** Be your best self, not a copy. Key Takeaway Cultivate personal authenticity and excellence. Themes self-improvement authenticity identity Mood motivational encouraging Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career development - creative projects - personal relationships - public speaking Key Concepts personal growth self-worth role models Questions to Reflect On - What unique strengths define you? - How can you avoid unhealthy comparisons? A Different Perspective Comparisons can be demotivating; authenticity may be challenging. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Instead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instead/) [Instead Second](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instead-second-475818/) [Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person/) [Second](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second/) [Second rate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-rate/) [Version Instead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/version-instead-1937476/) [Version Of Yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/version-of-yourself/) ## Related quotes > [“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of being a second-rate version of someone else.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourself-instead-of-being-a-second/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourself-instead-of-a-second-rate-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. —Judy Garland”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourself-instead-of-a-second-rate/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [“Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of someone else. —JUDY GARLAND”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourself-instead-of-a-second-rate-3/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [“always be a first-rate version of your self instead of a second-rate version of someone else.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-your-self-instead-of-a-second-rate/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. - shy boy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shy-boy/always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourself-instead-of-a-second-rate-5/) [SHY BOY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shy-boy/) > [Be the first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cherry-forever/be-the-first-rate-version-of-yourself-not-a-second-rate-version-of/) [Cherry Forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cherry-forever/) > [“never be a second-rate version of someone else, be a first-rate version of yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/never-be-a-second-rate-version-of-someone-else-be-a-first-rate/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourself-not-a-second-rate-version-of/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [Always be a first rate version of yourself and not a second rate version of someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourself-and-not-a-second-rate/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't be a second rate version of someone else, when you can be a first rate version of yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-be-a-second-rate-version-of-someone-else-when-you-can-be-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I teach writing, I have a mantra: 'Be a first-rate version of yourself, and not a second-rate version of another writer.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-morrell/when-i-teach-writing-i-have-a-mantra-be-a-first-rate-version-of/) [David Morrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-morrell/) > [Always be a first-rate version of yourself rather than a second-rate version of somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourself-rather-than-a-second-rate/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [Always be a first-rate version of yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-hepburn/always-be-a-first-rate-version-of-yourself/) [Audrey Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-hepburn/) > [“It's why she's always switching coaches, and it's why she'd rather get third instead of second. When she gets third, at least she's happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-perkins/it-s-why-she-s-always-switching-coaches-and-it-s-why-she-d-rather-get/) [Stephanie Perkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-perkins/) ## More by Judy Garland > [I've seen the ticket, and I still can't believe it. When I see the money, I hope I don't hit the floor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/i-ve-seen-the-ticket-and-i-still-can-t-believe-it-when-i-see-the/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [Behind every cloud is another cloud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/behind-every-cloud-is-another-cloud/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [I've never looked through a keyhole without finding someone was looking back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/i-ve-never-looked-through-a-keyhole-without-finding-someone-was/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [If I'm such a legend, then why am I so lonely? Let me tell you, legends are all very well if you've got somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/if-i-m-such-a-legend-then-why-am-i-so-lonely-let-me-tell-you-legends/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [A really great reception makes me feel like I have a great big warm heating pad all over me. People en masse have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/a-really-great-reception-makes-me-feel-like-i-have-a-great-big-warm/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart. It was not my lips you kissed, but my soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/for-it-was-not-into-my-ear-you-whispered-but-into-my-heart-it-was-not/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [I was born in a lovely white house with a garden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/i-was-born-in-a-lovely-white-house-with-a-garden/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [“For twas not into my ear you whispered, But into my heart. Twas not my lips you kissed, But my soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/for-twas-not-into-my-ear-you-whispered-but-into-my-heart-twas-not-my/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > ['Twas not my lips you kissed but my soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/twas-not-my-lips-you-kissed-but-my-soul/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [I was always lonesome. The only time I felt accepted or wanted was when I was on stage performing. I guess the stage was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/i-was-always-lonesome-the-only-time-i-felt-accepted-or-wanted-was/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [We cast away priceless time in dreams, born of imagination, fed upon illusion, and put to death by reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/we-cast-away-priceless-time-in-dreams-born-of-imagination-fed-upon/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [Birds fly over the rainbow. Why then, oh, why can't I?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/birds-fly-over-the-rainbow-why-then-oh-why-can-t-i/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [You shouldn't be told you're completely irresponsible and be left alone with too much medication. It's too easy to forget. You take a couple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/you-shouldn-t-be-told-you-re-completely-irresponsible-and-be-left/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [“Să fii intodeauna o versiune de primă mână a propriei persoane, nu una de mâna a doua a altcuiva.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/s-fii-intodeauna-o-versiune-de-prim-m-n-a-propriei-persoane-nu-una-de/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) > [He gave me a look at myself I've never had before. He saw something in me nobody else ever did. He made me see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-garland/he-gave-me-a-look-at-myself-i-ve-never-had-before-he-saw-something-in/) [Judy Garland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) [Explore all 68 Judy Garland quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-garland/) ## More Instead quotes > [Do not presume to choose your own way of serving instead of the one I have made for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/do-not-presume-to-choose-your-own-way-of-serving-instead-of-the-one-i/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [“Refuse to put others either above you or below you, but instead see them as you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-holyoak/refuse-to-put-others-either-above-you-or-below-you-but-instead-see/) [Pauline Holyoak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-holyoak/) > [I want everybody to worship the God of love instead of worshipping the God of hate and torture. 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The art of being a good Web designer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-davidson/you-can-have-information-and-ease-of-use-and-have-artistic-integrity/) [Mike Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-davidson/) > [I think most amateurs dread playing a 180-plus-yard par 3 even more than a hard par 4. Part of it is psychological: You think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernie-els/i-think-most-amateurs-dread-playing-a-180-plus-yard-par-3-even-more/) [Ernie Els](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernie-els/) > [It's time Africa started listening to our young people instead of always telling them what to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-ibrahim/it-s-time-africa-started-listening-to-our-young-people-instead-of/) [Mo Ibrahim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-ibrahim/) > [I like Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, as it's great for soothing dry skin and adding shine. I use it instead of balm, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-madekwe/i-like-elizabeth-arden-eight-hour-cream-as-it-s-great-for-soothing/) [Ashley Madekwe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-madekwe/) > [My Calvinism persuades me that we are open to God, in the sense that we are not delimited, not organisms with fixed attributes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilynne-robinson/my-calvinism-persuades-me-that-we-are-open-to-god-in-the-sense-that/) [Marilynne Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilynne-robinson/) > [My mother sent me to speech classes, but the other kids still teased me. I was shy. I stooped. Instead of talking, I kept…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colman-domingo/my-mother-sent-me-to-speech-classes-but-the-other-kids-still-teased/) [Colman Domingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colman-domingo/) > [I am capable of directing, and I am good at that. 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