--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The main thing, of course, always, is the…" description: "\"The main thing, of course, always, is the fact that there is only one of you in the world, just one, and if that is not fulfilled then something has be..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27a/martha-graham-2832_acceptance_the-main-thing-of-course-always-is-the-f_3149703.png" --- # The main thing, of course, always, is the fact that there… ![“The main thing, of course, always, is the fact that there is only one of you in the world, just one, and if that is not fulfilled then something has been lost. Ambition is not enough; necessity is everything.” quote by Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27a/martha-graham-2832_acceptance_the-main-thing-of-course-always-is-the-f_3149703.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27a/martha-graham-2832_acceptance_the-main-thing-of-course-always-is-the-f_3149703.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27a/martha-graham-2832_acceptance_the-main-thing-of-course-always-is-the-f_3149703.png) > “The main thing, of course, always, is the fact that there is only one of you in the world, just one, and if that is not fulfilled then something has been lost. Ambition is not enough; necessity is everything.” [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Emphasizes uniqueness of each individual; ambition alone isn’t enough without purpose. **In simple terms:** Being unique matters more than ambition alone. Key Takeaway Cultivate purpose to fulfill your unique potential. Themes individuality purpose fulition Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career planning - creative projects - volunteering Key Concepts existentialism self‑actualization Questions to Reflect On - What purpose drives you? - How can you align actions with that purpose? A Different Perspective Purpose can be hard to define; may need introspection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acceptance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acceptance/) [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Ambition Necessity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition-necessity-3949517/) [Choreography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choreography/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Dancers inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancers-inspiration/) [Fulfilled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fulfilled/) [Great dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-dance/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Lost Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost-ambition-5649816/) [Love your self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-your-self/) [Love yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-yourself/) [Loving yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loving-yourself/) [Main thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/main-thing/) [Necessity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessity/) [Self acceptance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-acceptance/) [Unique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unique/) ## Related quotes > [I don't try to dance better than anybody but myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-baryshnikov/i-don-t-try-to-dance-better-than-anybody-but-myself/) [Mikhail Baryshnikov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-baryshnikov/) > [The dance is the mother of the arts. Music and poetry exist in time; painting and architecture in space. But the dance lives at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curt-sachs/the-dance-is-the-mother-of-the-arts-music-and-poetry-exist-in-time/) [Curt Sachs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curt-sachs/) > [“men are guilty of the greatest crimes from ambition, and not from necessity,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/men-are-guilty-of-the-greatest-crimes-from-ambition-and-not-from/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Nobody cares if you can't dance well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/nobody-cares-if-you-can-t-dance-well/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [Dance is the hidden langauge of the soul, of the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/dance-is-the-hidden-langauge-of-the-soul-of-the-body/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [Dancing appears glamorous, easy, delightful. But the path to paradise of the achievement is not easier than any other. There is fatigue so great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/dancing-appears-glamorous-easy-delightful-but-the-path-to-paradise-of/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [There is fatigue so great that the body cries, even in its sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/there-is-fatigue-so-great-that-the-body-cries-even-in-its-sleep/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [Dance is communication, and so the great challenge is to speak clearly, beautifully and with inevitability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/dance-is-communication-and-so-the-great-challenge-is-to-speak-clearly/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [It is difficult to see the great dance effects as they happen, to see them accurately, catch them fast in memory. It is even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/it-is-difficult-to-see-the-great-dance-effects-as-they-happen-to-see/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [Work like you don't need the money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-joubert/work-like-you-don-t-need-the-money/) [Joseph Joubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-joubert/) > [Dance... enjoy each step along the way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-dyer/dance-enjoy-each-step-along-the-way/) [Wayne Dyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-dyer/) > [Dance is like wine; it matures with every performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alarmel-valli/dance-is-like-wine-it-matures-with-every-performance/) [Alarmel Valli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alarmel-valli/) > [Dance when you're perfectly free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/dance-when-you-re-perfectly-free/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [The only reason for mastering technique is to make sure the body does not prevent the soul from expressing itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/la-meri/the-only-reason-for-mastering-technique-is-to-make-sure-the-body-does/) [La Meri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/la-meri/) > [I look at the dancers and I get the inspiration for the work from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-murphy/i-look-at-the-dancers-and-i-get-the-inspiration-for-the-work-from-them/) [Graeme Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-murphy/) ## More by Martha Graham > [The body never lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-body-never-lies/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [You have no right to go before a public without an adequate technique, just because you feel. Anything feels - a leaf feels, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/you-have-no-right-to-go-before-a-public-without-an-adequate-technique/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/there-is-a-vitality-a-life-force-an-energy-a-quickening-that-is/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [Misery is a communicable disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/misery-is-a-communicable-disease/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [People have asked me why I chose to be a dancer. I did not choose. I was chosen to be a dancer, and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/people-have-asked-me-why-i-chose-to-be-a-dancer-i-did-not-choose-i/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [All things I do are in every woman. Every woman is Medea. Every woman is Jocasta. There comes a time when a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/all-things-i-do-are-in-every-woman-every-woman-is-medea-every-woman/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [The body is shaped, disciplined, honored, and in time, trusted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-body-is-shaped-disciplined-honored-and-in-time-trusted/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [The secret to dancing is that it is about everything except dancing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-secret-to-dancing-is-that-it-is-about-everything-except-dancing/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [What makes a great dancer is not technique. What makes a great dancer is passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/what-makes-a-great-dancer-is-not-technique-what-makes-a-great-dancer/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [The body is a sacred garment. It's your first and last garment; it is what you enter life in and what you depart life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-body-is-a-sacred-garment-it-s-your-first-and-last-garment-it-is/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [You are unique, and if that is not fulfilled, then something has been lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/you-are-unique-and-if-that-is-not-fulfilled-then-something-has-been/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [You see, when weaving a blanket, an Indian woman leaves a flaw in the weaving of that blanket to let the soul out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/you-see-when-weaving-a-blanket-an-indian-woman-leaves-a-flaw-in-the/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [Dancing is just discovery, discovery, discovery - what it all means, the way the little bone near the ankle relates itself to the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/dancing-is-just-discovery-discovery-discovery-what-it-all-means-the/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [Theater used to be a verb; it used to be an act. But nowadays it is just a noun. It is a place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/theater-used-to-be-a-verb-it-used-to-be-an-act-but-nowadays-it-is/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [There is a force, a quickness that is translated through you into action. If you block it, the world will not have it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/there-is-a-force-a-quickness-that-is-translated-through-you-into/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) [Explore all 148 Martha Graham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) ## More Acceptance quotes > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [You dont choose your life; it chooses you. Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When one fib becomes due as it were, you must forge another to take up the old acceptance; and so the stock of your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-makepeace-thackeray/when-one-fib-becomes-due-as-it-were-you-must-forge-another-to-take-up/) [William Makepeace Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-makepeace-thackeray/) > [Acceptance of death when it arrives is one thing, but to allow it to upstage the joys of living is ingratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-blythe/acceptance-of-death-when-it-arrives-is-one-thing-but-to-allow-it-to/) [Ronald Blythe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-blythe/) > [“Loving someone who does not love you back hurts, alot, i know. It is liking seeing these pair of shoes at the retail store…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nomthandazo-tsembeni/loving-someone-who-does-not-love-you-back-hurts-alot-i-know-it-is/) [Nomthandazo Tsembeni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nomthandazo-tsembeni/) > [Take responsibily for your past, the bad memories of poor decisions you took were your choices once, and you liked them for the moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aruho-marvin/take-responsibily-for-your-past-the-bad-memories-of-poor-decisions/) [Aruho Marvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aruho-marvin/) > [Let us learn to accept and appreciate things now, and we'll find more happiness in every moment we live. Happiness comes when we stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/let-us-learn-to-accept-and-appreciate-things-now-and-we-ll-find-more/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [“Love first; ask questions later.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-courtney/love-first-ask-questions-later/) [Jeremy Courtney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-courtney/) > [“There was beauty in chaos, she'd just never known it before.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-linsmeier/there-was-beauty-in-chaos-she-d-just-never-known-it-before/) [Amanda Linsmeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-linsmeier/) > [Accepting the challenges in life makes it interesting and overcoming them makes it eloquent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/accepting-the-challenges-in-life-makes-it-interesting-and-overcoming/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Acceptance is the only thing you should teach. Be it Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Dalit, you must inculcate acceptance, not tolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamal-haasan/acceptance-is-the-only-thing-you-should-teach-be-it-christian-muslim/) [Kamal Haasan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamal-haasan/) > [There just seems to be more acceptance now of other kinds of British films, than the picture-postcard ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-roth/there-just-seems-to-be-more-acceptance-now-of-other-kinds-of-british/) [Tim Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-roth/) > [You should never hate anyone, even your worst enemies. Everyone has something good about them. You have to find the redeeming quality and love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/you-should-never-hate-anyone-even-your-worst-enemies-everyone-has/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [The sense that in this universe we are treated as strangers, the longing to be acknowledged, to meet with some response, to bridge some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-sense-that-in-this-universe-we-are-treated-as-strangers-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 3,960 Acceptance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acceptance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The main thing, of course, always, is the fact that there is only one of you in the world, just one, and if that is not fulfilled then something has been lost. Ambition is not enough; necessity is everything.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Martha Graham" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-main-thing-of-course-always-is-the-fact-that-there-is-only-one-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Acceptance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-main-thing-of-course-always-is-the-fact-that-there-is-only-one-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27a/martha-graham-2832_acceptance_the-main-thing-of-course-always-is-the-f_3149703.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27a/martha-graham-2832_acceptance_the-main-thing-of-course-always-is-the-f_3149703.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27a/martha-graham-2832_acceptance_the-main-thing-of-course-always-is-the-f_3149703.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The main thing, of course, always, is the fact that there is only one of you in the world, just one, and if…” — Martha Graham", "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": "Martha Graham", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The main thing, of course, always,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-main-thing-of-course-always-is-the-fact-that-there-is-only-one-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/the-main-thing-of-course-always-is-the-fact-that-there-is-only-one-of/#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 } } ] } ```