---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There was a certain satisfaction to it…"
description: "\"“There was a certain satisfaction to it, not owning anything and not being owned.”\" — Mary Paulson-Ellis"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52e/mary-paulson-ellis-94654_owning_there-was-a-certain-satisfaction-to-it-n_2335463.jpg"
---

#  There was a certain satisfaction to it, not owning…

![“There was a certain satisfaction to it, not owning anything and not being owned.” quote by Mary Paulson-Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52e/mary-paulson-ellis-94654_owning_there-was-a-certain-satisfaction-to-it-n_2335463.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52e/mary-paulson-ellis-94654_owning_there-was-a-certain-satisfaction-to-it-n_2335463.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52e/mary-paulson-ellis-94654_owning_there-was-a-certain-satisfaction-to-it-n_2335463.jpg)

> ““There was a certain satisfaction to it, not owning anything and not being owned.””

Mary Paulson-Ellis

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A sense of freedom and contentment derived from neither owning nor being owned, highlighting autonomy and detachment.

**In simple terms:** Freedom in non‑ownership.

Key Takeaway

Cherish autonomy.

Themes

freedom autonomy detachment contentment non‑ownership

Mood

reflective philosophical quiet

Type

Owning:0 Satisfaction:1 Certain Satisfaction:0 Owning Owned:0 Satisfaction Owning:0

When to use this quote

- minimalist living
- relationships
- career choices
- spiritual practice
- political movements

Key Concepts

existentialism materialism critique personal liberty philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

- What does ownership mean to you?
- How does detachment affect relationships?

A Different Perspective

May romanticize lack of responsibility.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Owning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/owning/) [Satisfaction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfaction/)

## Related quotes

> [“Love exists in itself, not relying on owning or being owned.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-salzberg/love-exists-in-itself-not-relying-on-owning-or-being-owned/)

[Sharon Salzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-salzberg/)

> [A man perceives himself as owning and being owned by a woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/a-man-perceives-himself-as-owning-and-being-owned-by-a-woman/)

[Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/)

> [Anyhow they’re always exceptions. But most women, their only relationship to a man is having. Either owning or being owned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/anyhow-they-re-always-exceptions-but-most-women-their-only/)

[Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/)

> [With the Truman book, I wrote the entire account of his experiences in World War I before going over to Europe to follow his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mccullough/with-the-truman-book-i-wrote-the-entire-account-of-his-experiences-in/)

[David McCullough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mccullough/)

> [Everybody wants to receive a certain amount of satisfaction from whatever employment they're involved in. That doesn't mean happiness, though. And then, if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebbie-jackson/everybody-wants-to-receive-a-certain-amount-of-satisfaction-from/)

[Rebbie Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebbie-jackson/)

> [There's a certain satisfaction in a little bit of pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-a-certain-satisfaction-in-a-little-bit-of-pain/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [There is a certain satisfaction in coming down to the lowest ground of politics, for we get rid of cant and hypocrisy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-a-certain-satisfaction-in-coming-down-to-the-lowest-ground/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [The best part of owning a blog is the fact that you are in control. You can write about anything you want to write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabrizio-moreira/the-best-part-of-owning-a-blog-is-the-fact-that-you-are-in-control/)

[Fabrizio Moreira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabrizio-moreira/)

> [Owning a business is NOT about working your ass off for the sake of trying to squeeze out a living. It is NOT about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-michalowicz/owning-a-business-is-not-about-working-your-ass-off-for-the-sake-of/)

[Mike Michalowicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-michalowicz/)

> [I love owning my masters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fat-joe/i-love-owning-my-masters/)

[Fat Joe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fat-joe/)

> [If someone asked me if I could have anything in the world, what would l want? If l could own anything, like owning a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/axl-rose/if-someone-asked-me-if-i-could-have-anything-in-the-world-what-would/)

[Axl Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/axl-rose/)

> [Owning the intellectual property is like owning land: You need to keep investing in it again and again to get a payoff; you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-dyson/owning-the-intellectual-property-is-like-owning-land-you-need-to-keep/)

[Esther Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-dyson/)

> [“Owning a book is a third of the goal. The others are actually reading it and applying it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-wayne/owning-a-book-is-a-third-of-the-goal-the-others-are-actually-reading/)

Israel Wayne

> [There are a lot of impractical things about owning a Porsche. But they're all offset by the driving experience. It really is unique. Lamborghinis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-o-leary/there-are-a-lot-of-impractical-things-about-owning-a-porsche-but-they/)

[Kevin O'Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-o-leary/)

> [I just wanted to be the best MC. I wasn't about owning a Bentley. I wanted to be recognized as the illest MC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-daddy-kane/i-just-wanted-to-be-the-best-mc-i-wasn-t-about-owning-a-bentley-i/)

[Big Daddy Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-daddy-kane/)

## More by Mary Paulson-Ellis

> [“mother, ‘I read somewhere that death comes to a person twice. Once when it happens, and once when everyone who remembers them has gone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-paulson-ellis/mother-i-read-somewhere-that-death-comes-to-a-person-twice-once-when/)

Mary Paulson-Ellis

Explore all 2 Mary Paulson-Ellis quotes

## More Owning quotes

> [There are a lot of impractical things about owning a Porsche. But they're all offset by the driving experience. It really is unique. Lamborghinis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-o-leary/there-are-a-lot-of-impractical-things-about-owning-a-porsche-but-they/)

[Kevin O'Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-o-leary/)

> [“Owning a book is a third of the goal. The others are actually reading it and applying it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israel-wayne/owning-a-book-is-a-third-of-the-goal-the-others-are-actually-reading/)

Israel Wayne

> [Owning the intellectual property is like owning land: You need to keep investing in it again and again to get a payoff; you can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-dyson/owning-the-intellectual-property-is-like-owning-land-you-need-to-keep/)

[Esther Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-dyson/)

> [If someone asked me if I could have anything in the world, what would l want? If l could own anything, like owning a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/axl-rose/if-someone-asked-me-if-i-could-have-anything-in-the-world-what-would/)

[Axl Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/axl-rose/)

> [I love owning my masters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fat-joe/i-love-owning-my-masters/)

[Fat Joe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fat-joe/)

> [The best part of owning a blog is the fact that you are in control. You can write about anything you want to write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fabrizio-moreira/the-best-part-of-owning-a-blog-is-the-fact-that-you-are-in-control/)

[Fabrizio Moreira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fabrizio-moreira/)

> [I just wanted to be the best MC. I wasn't about owning a Bentley. I wanted to be recognized as the illest MC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-daddy-kane/i-just-wanted-to-be-the-best-mc-i-wasn-t-about-owning-a-bentley-i/)

[Big Daddy Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-daddy-kane/)

> [Owning a business is NOT about working your ass off for the sake of trying to squeeze out a living. It is NOT about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-michalowicz/owning-a-business-is-not-about-working-your-ass-off-for-the-sake-of/)

[Mike Michalowicz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-michalowicz/)

> [“A while back, my friend Graydon Carter mentioned that he was opening a restaurant in New York. I cautioned him against this, because it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-ephron/a-while-back-my-friend-graydon-carter-mentioned-that-he-was-opening-a/)

[Nora Ephron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-ephron/)

> [There's no delight in owning anything unshared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-no-delight-in-owning-anything-unshared/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [I don't buy art. I'd rather buy a beautiful location or a beautiful site than buy art. A beautiful home is like owning a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millard-drexler/i-don-t-buy-art-i-d-rather-buy-a-beautiful-location-or-a-beautiful/)

[Millard Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millard-drexler/)

> [I want to own my masters. That's the main thing--owning all my music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-faiyaz/i-want-to-own-my-masters-that-s-the-main-thing-owning-all-my-music/)

[Brent Faiyaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-faiyaz/)

> [My parents are conservatives. Owning a small business lent itself to that viewpoint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-cameron/my-parents-are-conservatives-owning-a-small-business-lent-itself-to/)

[Daniel Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-cameron/)

> [Nobody should be owning a gun which does not have a sporting purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-reno/nobody-should-be-owning-a-gun-which-does-not-have-a-sporting-purpose/)

[Janet Reno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-reno/)

> [“The things you own end up owning you.” A”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fumio-sasaki/the-things-you-own-end-up-owning-you-a/)

[Fumio Sasaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fumio-sasaki/)

[Browse all 190 Owning quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/owning/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“There was a certain satisfaction to it, not owning anything and not being owned.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Mary Paulson-Ellis"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-paulson-ellis/there-was-a-certain-satisfaction-to-it-not-owning-anything-and-not/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Owning"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-paulson-ellis/there-was-a-certain-satisfaction-to-it-not-owning-anything-and-not/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52e/mary-paulson-ellis-94654_owning_there-was-a-certain-satisfaction-to-it-n_2335463.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52e/mary-paulson-ellis-94654_owning_there-was-a-certain-satisfaction-to-it-n_2335463.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52e/mary-paulson-ellis-94654_owning_there-was-a-certain-satisfaction-to-it-n_2335463.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“There was a certain satisfaction to it, not owning anything and not being owned.” — Mary Paulson-Ellis",
                "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": "Mary Paulson-Ellis",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-paulson-ellis/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“There was a certain satisfaction to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-paulson-ellis/there-was-a-certain-satisfaction-to-it-not-owning-anything-and-not/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-paulson-ellis/there-was-a-certain-satisfaction-to-it-not-owning-anything-and-not/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
