--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Be who you are, and go the whole way." description: "\"Be who you are, and go the whole way.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/laozi-147_be-who-you-are_be-who-you-are-and-go-the-whole-way-2143_2143904.jpg" --- # Be who you are, and go the whole way. ![“Be who you are, and go the whole way.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/laozi-147_be-who-you-are_be-who-you-are-and-go-the-whole-way-2143_2143904.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/laozi-147_be-who-you-are_be-who-you-are-and-go-the-whole-way-2143_2143904.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/laozi-147_be-who-you-are_be-who-you-are-and-go-the-whole-way-2143_2143904.jpg) > “Be who you are, and go the whole way.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Authenticity requires fully committing to one’s true self without compromise. **In simple terms:** Be true and commit fully. Key Takeaway Live authentically. Themes authenticity commitment selfhood Mood inspirational determined Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career choices - relationships - creative projects - personal growth Key Concepts Taoist philosophy personal integrity Questions to Reflect On - What does being yourself look like? - What obstacles stop you from fully committing? A Different Perspective Fear of judgment can hinder authenticity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be who you are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-who-you-are/) [Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/person/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Who you are](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/who-you-are/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) ## Related quotes > [Give up being perfect for being authentic. Be who you are. Love who you are. Others will too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/give-up-being-perfect-for-being-authentic-be-who-you-are-love-who-you/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [I'd like everyone to imagine a world where you get a job as Tom, and then the next day you're Tina. Imagine you're in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whoopi-goldberg/i-d-like-everyone-to-imagine-a-world-where-you-get-a-job-as-tom-and/) [Whoopi Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whoopi-goldberg/) > [Simply be who you are, do what you do best, be where you are called by joy, and let life work its magic on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/simply-be-who-you-are-do-what-you-do-best-be-where-you-are-called-by/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) > [Our Father in Heaven needs you to be who you are. ... You are very important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-g-larsen/our-father-in-heaven-needs-you-to-be-who-you-are-you-are-very/) [Sharon G. Larsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-g-larsen/) > [You just gotta be who you are, and I think it's time to get rid of this whole National Basketball Association. Call it the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/you-just-gotta-be-who-you-are-and-i-think-it-s-time-to-get-rid-of/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [When we close ourselves off, we're not just closing ourselves off to other people, we're closing ourselves off from ourselves and impeding ourselves. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-cuddy/when-we-close-ourselves-off-we-re-not-just-closing-ourselves-off-to/) [Amy Cuddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-cuddy/) > [Remember who you are. It's really okay to be who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-ricci/remember-who-you-are-it-s-really-okay-to-be-who-you-are/) [Christina Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-ricci/) > [Never bury something deep, baby. Takes twice as much courage to be who you are, say what you think, feel what you feel and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/never-bury-something-deep-baby-takes-twice-as-much-courage-to-be-who/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [There is an unmistakable freedom that accompanies contentment: a freedom to be who you are, enjoy who you are, and live the life you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-becker/there-is-an-unmistakable-freedom-that-accompanies-contentment-a/) [Josh Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-becker/) > [The soul knows everything. Be who you are and your life will transform forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-soul-knows-everything-be-who-you-are-and-your-life-will-transform/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Be who you wanna be, and not what others would love to see. Because there gonna find out sooner or later and sure enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mee/be-who-you-wanna-be-and-not-what-others-would-love-to-see-because/) [MEE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mee/) > [BE WHO YOU ARE! Not what others want to see](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-who-you-are-not-what-others-want-to-see/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The heavy is the root of the light. The unmoved is the source of all movement. Thus the Master travels all day without leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-heavy-is-the-root-of-the-light-the-unmoved-is-the-source-of-all/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you never know who will love the person you hide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-weird-be-random-be-who-you-are-because-you-never-know-who-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Give yourself a chance to live because nobody will live it for you when you die](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-yourself-a-chance-to-live-because-nobody-will-live-it-for-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) [Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More Be who you are quotes > [Give yourself a chance to live because nobody will live it for you when you die](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/give-yourself-a-chance-to-live-because-nobody-will-live-it-for-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [BE WHO YOU ARE! Not what others want to see](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-who-you-are-not-what-others-want-to-see/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The soul knows everything. Be who you are and your life will transform forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-soul-knows-everything-be-who-you-are-and-your-life-will-transform/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Be who you wanna be, and not what others would love to see. Because there gonna find out sooner or later and sure enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mee/be-who-you-wanna-be-and-not-what-others-would-love-to-see-because/) [MEE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mee/) > [There is an unmistakable freedom that accompanies contentment: a freedom to be who you are, enjoy who you are, and live the life you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-becker/there-is-an-unmistakable-freedom-that-accompanies-contentment-a/) [Josh Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-becker/) > [Never bury something deep, baby. Takes twice as much courage to be who you are, say what you think, feel what you feel and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/never-bury-something-deep-baby-takes-twice-as-much-courage-to-be-who/) [Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/) > [Remember who you are. It's really okay to be who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-ricci/remember-who-you-are-it-s-really-okay-to-be-who-you-are/) [Christina Ricci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-ricci/) > [When we close ourselves off, we're not just closing ourselves off to other people, we're closing ourselves off from ourselves and impeding ourselves. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-cuddy/when-we-close-ourselves-off-we-re-not-just-closing-ourselves-off-to/) [Amy Cuddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-cuddy/) > [Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you never know who will love the person you hide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-weird-be-random-be-who-you-are-because-you-never-know-who-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You just gotta be who you are, and I think it's time to get rid of this whole National Basketball Association. Call it the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/you-just-gotta-be-who-you-are-and-i-think-it-s-time-to-get-rid-of/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Dont be embarrassed by who you are. Theyre going to judge you no matter what you do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/dont-be-embarrassed-by-who-you-are-theyre-going-to-judge-you-no/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Our Father in Heaven needs you to be who you are. ... You are very important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-g-larsen/our-father-in-heaven-needs-you-to-be-who-you-are-you-are-very/) [Sharon G. Larsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-g-larsen/) > [Never look down at yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/never-look-down-at-yourself/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I define my roles as a woman, whether that means a mother at home, a CEO, both, neither or more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-thoughtful-beast/i-define-my-roles-as-a-woman-whether-that-means-a-mother-at-home-a/) [The Thoughtful Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-thoughtful-beast/) > [Simply be who you are, do what you do best, be where you are called by joy, and let life work its magic on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cohen/simply-be-who-you-are-do-what-you-do-best-be-where-you-are-called-by/) [Alan Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cohen/) [Browse all 147 Be who you are quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-who-you-are/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Be who you are, and go the whole way.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/be-who-you-are-and-go-the-whole-way/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Be who you are" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/be-who-you-are-and-go-the-whole-way/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/laozi-147_be-who-you-are_be-who-you-are-and-go-the-whole-way-2143_2143904.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/laozi-147_be-who-you-are_be-who-you-are-and-go-the-whole-way-2143_2143904.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e3/laozi-147_be-who-you-are_be-who-you-are-and-go-the-whole-way-2143_2143904.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Be who you are, and go the whole way.” — Laozi", "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": "Laozi", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Be who you are, and go...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/be-who-you-are-and-go-the-whole-way/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/be-who-you-are-and-go-the-whole-way/#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 } } ] } ```