--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Identity is not negotiable. An identity…" description: "\"Identity is not negotiable. An identity you have achieved by agreement is always a prison.\" — M. John Harrison" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c7/m-john-harrison-15805_agreement_identity-is-not-negotiable-an-identity-y_13227.jpg" --- # Identity is not negotiable. An identity you have achieved… ![“Identity is not negotiable. An identity you have achieved by agreement is always a prison.” quote by M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c7/m-john-harrison-15805_agreement_identity-is-not-negotiable-an-identity-y_13227.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c7/m-john-harrison-15805_agreement_identity-is-not-negotiable-an-identity-y_13227.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0c7/m-john-harrison-15805_agreement_identity-is-not-negotiable-an-identity-y_13227.jpg) > “Identity is not negotiable. An identity you have achieved by agreement is always a prison.” [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Identity is an intrinsic, non‑negotiable core; when it’s defined by external approval, it becomes restrictive. **In simple terms:** Self‑definition versus imposed identity. Key Takeaway Authentic self is essential. Themes self‑identity authenticity freedom social pressure personal agency Mood reflective determined cautious Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career choices - cultural assimilation - online personas - relationship dynamics - political affiliation Key Concepts identity formation social contract psychological confinement Practical Applications - personal development coaching - leadership training Questions to Reflect On - How does external validation limit personal growth? - What steps can you take to reclaim your authentic identity? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agreement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agreement/) [Agreement Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agreement-prison-373813/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Identity Achieved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity-achieved-373812/) [Identity Negotiable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity-negotiable-373810/) [Negotiable Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negotiable-identity-373811/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) ## Related quotes > [Therefore, I see whatever exists as good, death is to me like life, sin like holiness, wisdom like foolishness, everything has to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/therefore-i-see-whatever-exists-as-good-death-is-to-me-like-life-sin/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Netanyahu made all sorts of claims. This was going to be a terrible deal. This was going to result in Iran getting 50 billion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/netanyahu-made-all-sorts-of-claims-this-was-going-to-be-a-terrible/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I spoke on the phone with President Rouhani of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The two of us discussed our ongoing efforts to reach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-spoke-on-the-phone-with-president-rouhani-of-the-islamic-republic/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [ Look at what I am proposing, and we \[wih Bernie Sanders\] have a vigorous agreement here. We both want to reign in the excesses… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/look-at-what-i-am-proposing-and-we-wih-bernie-sanders-have-a-vigorous/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Whatever you perceive, you always make a story with yourself as the main character, and that dictates your life. Then when you read 'The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/whatever-you-perceive-you-always-make-a-story-with-yourself-as-the/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [At Ohio State University, to avoid being guilty of 'sexual assault' or 'sexual violence,' you and your partner now apparently have to agree on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/at-ohio-state-university-to-avoid-being-guilty-of-sexual-assault-or/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [We recognize that NAFTA is a three-country agreement, and we need a three-country negotiation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrystia-freeland/we-recognize-that-nafta-is-a-three-country-agreement-and-we-need-a/) [Chrystia Freeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrystia-freeland/) > [Gaia's main problems are not industrialization, ozone depletion, overpopulation, or resource depletion. Gaia's main problem is the lack of mutual understanding and mutual agreement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wilber/gaia-s-main-problems-are-not-industrialization-ozone-depletion/) [Ken Wilber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wilber/) > [As long as I sit at Henry Clay's desk, I will remember his lifelong desire to forge agreement, but I will also keep close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/as-long-as-i-sit-at-henry-clay-s-desk-i-will-remember-his-lifelong/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [Because countries often have differing political and economic systems, agreements are needed to protect those invested in trade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/because-countries-often-have-differing-political-and-economic-systems/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [I am formally accountable to the steering board of the PIC, and I meet with nine ambassadors from the PIC every week. I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-ashdown/i-am-formally-accountable-to-the-steering-board-of-the-pic-and-i-meet/) [Paddy Ashdown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-ashdown/) > [In coming to that agreement, my party had a clear philosophy throughout. In Northern Ireland, we should have institutions that respected the differences of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hume/in-coming-to-that-agreement-my-party-had-a-clear-philosophy/) [John Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hume/) > [Biochemists and biologists who adhere blindly to the Darwinism theory search for results that will be in agreement with their theories and consequently orient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-paul-grasse/biochemists-and-biologists-who-adhere-blindly-to-the-darwinism-theory/) [Pierre-Paul Grasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-paul-grasse/) > [There's no way to have a peace agreement unless the mediator or negotiator looks at both sides from an equal basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/there-s-no-way-to-have-a-peace-agreement-unless-the-mediator-or/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Iraq made commitments after the Gulf War to completely dismantle all weapons of mass destruction, and unfortunately, Iraq has not lived up to its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-boxer/iraq-made-commitments-after-the-gulf-war-to-completely-dismantle-all/) [Barbara Boxer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-boxer/) ## More by M. John Harrison > [Perception of a state is not the state.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/perception-of-a-state-is-not-the-state/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [I think it's undignified to read for the purposes of escape. After you grow up, you should start reading for other purposes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/i-think-it-s-undignified-to-read-for-the-purposes-of-escape-after-you/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [Everyone loves a mysterious country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/everyone-loves-a-mysterious-country/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [“As they moved from exhibit to exhibit like reluctant tourists in some artist's studio, Buffin sat on a stool with his limbs tense. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/as-they-moved-from-exhibit-to-exhibit-like-reluctant-tourists-in-some/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [“He ran toward the light. When he passed the corpse of his dead friend, he began to weep again. He picked up his sword.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/he-ran-toward-the-light-when-he-passed-the-corpse-of-his-dead-friend/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [“Some internal process held him rapt. He had begun, perhaps, to map the paths inside himself which led to the Past. This gave him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/some-internal-process-held-him-rapt-he-had-begun-perhaps-to-map-the/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [Budapest is a prime site for dreams: the East’s exuberant vision of the West, the West’s uneasy hallucination of the East. It is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/budapest-is-a-prime-site-for-dreams-the-east-s-exuberant-vision-of/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [Writing's like gambling. Unpredictable and sporadic successes make you more addicted, not less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/writing-s-like-gambling-unpredictable-and-sporadic-successes-make-you/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [“You can't cure people of their character,' she read. After this he had crossed something out then gone on, 'You can't even change yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/you-can-t-cure-people-of-their-character-she-read-after-this-he-had/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [“When the landed gentry cut up a seed cake for tea it makes no difference to the cake which of them holds the knife;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/when-the-landed-gentry-cut-up-a-seed-cake-for-tea-it-makes-no/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [Egnaro is a secret known to everyone but yourself. It is a country or a city to which you have never been; it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/egnaro-is-a-secret-known-to-everyone-but-yourself-it-is-a-country-or/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [A good ground rule for writing in any genre is, start with a form, then undermine its confidence in itself. Ask what it's afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/a-good-ground-rule-for-writing-in-any-genre-is-start-with-a-form-then/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [“Write something about me then,' he said when I came back. He grinned. 'Go on! Now! I bet you can!' 'I don't do portraits,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/write-something-about-me-then-he-said-when-i-came-back-he-grinned-go/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [“I think it’s undignified to read for the purposes of escape…. If you read for escape you will never try to change your life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/i-think-it-s-undignified-to-read-for-the-purposes-of-escape-if-you/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) > [Stories pass the experienced world back and forth between them as a metaphor, until it is worn out. Only then do we realize that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-john-harrison/stories-pass-the-experienced-world-back-and-forth-between-them-as-a/) [M. John Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) [Explore all 41 M. John Harrison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-john-harrison/) ## More Agreement quotes > [Therefore, I see whatever exists as good, death is to me like life, sin like holiness, wisdom like foolishness, everything has to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/therefore-i-see-whatever-exists-as-good-death-is-to-me-like-life-sin/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [There's no way to have a peace agreement unless the mediator or negotiator looks at both sides from an equal basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/there-s-no-way-to-have-a-peace-agreement-unless-the-mediator-or/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Biochemists and biologists who adhere blindly to the Darwinism theory search for results that will be in agreement with their theories and consequently orient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-paul-grasse/biochemists-and-biologists-who-adhere-blindly-to-the-darwinism-theory/) [Pierre-Paul Grasse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-paul-grasse/) > [In coming to that agreement, my party had a clear philosophy throughout. 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Gaia's main problem is the lack of mutual understanding and mutual agreement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-wilber/gaia-s-main-problems-are-not-industrialization-ozone-depletion/) [Ken Wilber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-wilber/) > [We recognize that NAFTA is a three-country agreement, and we need a three-country negotiation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrystia-freeland/we-recognize-that-nafta-is-a-three-country-agreement-and-we-need-a/) [Chrystia Freeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrystia-freeland/) > [At Ohio State University, to avoid being guilty of 'sexual assault' or 'sexual violence,' you and your partner now apparently have to agree on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/at-ohio-state-university-to-avoid-being-guilty-of-sexual-assault-or/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Whatever you perceive, you always make a story with yourself as the main character, and that dictates your life. 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