---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have to be what we are, so we don’t…"
description: "\"“We have to be what we are, so we don’t have to present a false image. If you love me the way I am, “Okay, take me.” If you don’t love me the way I am,..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a1/miguel-ruiz-3193_make-clear_we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-ha_456678.jpg"
---

#  We have to be what we are, so we don’t have to present a…

![“We have to be what we are, so we don’t have to present a false image. If you love me the way I am, “Okay, take me.” If you don’t love me the way I am, “Okay, bye-bye. Find someone else.” It may sound harsh, but this kind of communication means the personal agreements we make with others are clear…” quote by Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a1/miguel-ruiz-3193_make-clear_we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-ha_456678.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a1/miguel-ruiz-3193_make-clear_we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-ha_456678.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a1/miguel-ruiz-3193_make-clear_we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-ha_456678.jpg)

> ““We have to be what we are, so we don’t have to present a false image. If you love me the way I am, “Okay, take me.” If you don’t love me the way I am, “Okay, bye-bye. Find someone else.” It may sound harsh, but this kind of communication means the personal agreements we make with others are clear and impeccable.””

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

## 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 presenting yourself honestly, allowing others to accept or reject you as you truly are.

**In simple terms:** Be true to yourself; let others decide.

Key Takeaway

Embrace honesty; set clear boundaries.

Themes

authenticity communication relationships

Mood

reflective confident

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- dating
- friendship
- workplace
- family
- therapy

Key Concepts

self‑acceptance personal integrity

Questions to Reflect On

- How does honesty affect your relationships?
- Can you be authentic without hurting others?

A Different Perspective

May be perceived as harsh; not everyone values blunt honesty.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [The agreements we make earlier in life are easier to change through lovethan through punishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/the-agreements-we-make-earlier-in-life-are-easier-to-change-through/)

Senoraroy

> [To write or speak is to communicate. To communicate is to share meanings, make them ‘common’ to all participants in the discourse. (The etymological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-lakoff/to-write-or-speak-is-to-communicate-to-communicate-is-to-share/)

[Robin Lakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-lakoff/)

> [What does music mean to me? I don't think I would really be much without it, without it coming through me. It's my means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erykah-badu/what-does-music-mean-to-me-i-don-t-think-i-would-really-be-much/)

[Erykah Badu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erykah-badu/)

> [“Electronic communication is one means by which the very idea of public life has been put to an end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-sennett/electronic-communication-is-one-means-by-which-the-very-idea-of/)

[Richard Sennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-sennett/)

> [Extremists think 'communication' means agreeing with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-rosten/extremists-think-communication-means-agreeing-with-them/)

[Leo Rosten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-rosten/)

> [I am not interested in communicating something to you, I am interested in communion. Communication means my mind talking to your mind. Communion means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/i-am-not-interested-in-communicating-something-to-you-i-am-interested/)

[Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/)

> [I'm not the greatest communicator. I kind of internalize a lot. See, I just said I need to be quiet, but that's not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-maines/i-m-not-the-greatest-communicator-i-kind-of-internalize-a-lot-see-i/)

[Natalie Maines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-maines/)

> [Crying is a kind of communication, and communication is awesome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-gonzalez/crying-is-a-kind-of-communication-and-communication-is-awesome/)

[Emma Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-gonzalez/)

> [When I did it with Johnny, it was almost a telepathic kind of communication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-winter/when-i-did-it-with-johnny-it-was-almost-a-telepathic-kind-of/)

[Edgar Winter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-winter/)

> [When persons are present to one another they can function not merely as physical instruments but also as communicative ones. This possibility, no less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erving-goffman/when-persons-are-present-to-one-another-they-can-function-not-merely/)

[Erving Goffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erving-goffman/)

> [My personal view about how people should use Twitter is less relevant than our goal to provide the infrastructure for a new kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/biz-stone/my-personal-view-about-how-people-should-use-twitter-is-less-relevant/)

[Biz Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/biz-stone/)

> [Internet has contributed to certainly a new kind of communication among us - not all of it good; a lot of it, dangerous. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-d-chittister/internet-has-contributed-to-certainly-a-new-kind-of-communication/)

[Joan D. Chittister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-d-chittister/)

> [There's no way to get around it; online dating is work. And some people are more skilled at this kind of communication than others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-martin/there-s-no-way-to-get-around-it-online-dating-is-work-and-some-people/)

[Rachel Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-martin/)

> [“Let me make it clear. There will be no repeat of that night. Absolutely not! Not ever, do you understand?” "Who are you trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalpa-williby/let-me-make-it-clear-there-will-be-no-repeat-of-that-night-absolutely/)

Jalpa Williby

> [“If you come anywhere near my daughter, I will see to it that you are taken apart piece by bloody piece. Do I make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/if-you-come-anywhere-near-my-daughter-i-will-see-to-it-that-you-are/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

## More by Miguel Ruiz

> [“If you are impeccable with your word, if you don’t take anything personally, if you don’t make assumptions, if you always do your best,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/if-you-are-impeccable-with-your-word-if-you-don-t-take-anything/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“The problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are the truth. We could swear they are real.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/the-problem-with-making-assumptions-is-that-we-believe-they-are-the/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“Under any circumstance, always do your best, no more and no less. But keep in mind that your best is never going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/under-any-circumstance-always-do-your-best-no-more-and-no-less-but/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“The big difference between a warrior and a victim is that the victim represses, and the warrior refrains. Victims repress because they are afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/the-big-difference-between-a-warrior-and-a-victim-is-that-the-victim/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“All of humanity is searching for truth, justice, and beauty. We are on an eternal search for the truth because we only believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/all-of-humanity-is-searching-for-truth-justice-and-beauty-we-are-on/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/find-the-courage-to-ask-questions-and-to-express-what-you-really-want/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“It is very interesting how the human mind works. We have the need to justify everything, to explain and understand everything, in order to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/it-is-very-interesting-how-the-human-mind-works-we-have-the-need-to/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“Even when a situation seems so personal, even if others insult you directly, it has nothing to do with you. What they say, what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/even-when-a-situation-seems-so-personal-even-if-others-insult-you/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“You don’t need to worship idols of the Virgin Mary, the Christ, or the Buddha. You can if you want to; if it feels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/you-don-t-need-to-worship-idols-of-the-virgin-mary-the-christ-or-the/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“The warrior has awareness...we are aware that we are at war , and the war in our minds requires discipline. Not the discipline of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/the-warrior-has-awareness-we-are-aware-that-we-are-at-war-and-the-war/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“The happiest moments in our lives are when we are playing just like children, when we are singing and dancing, when we are exploring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/the-happiest-moments-in-our-lives-are-when-we-are-playing-just-like/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“Gossip is black magic because it spreads emotional poison, perpetuates fear, and keeps others down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/gossip-is-black-magic-because-it-spreads-emotional-poison-perpetuates/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“How can you ask for something you don't think you deserve?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/how-can-you-ask-for-something-you-don-t-think-you-deserve/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“Tener fe es creer incondicionalmente.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/tener-fe-es-creer-incondicionalmente/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

> [“if you take action just for the sake of doing it, without expecting a reward, you will find that you enjoy every action you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/if-you-take-action-just-for-the-sake-of-doing-it-without-expecting-a/)

[Miguel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

[Explore all 123 Miguel Ruiz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/)

## More Make Clear quotes

> [“If you come anywhere near my daughter, I will see to it that you are taken apart piece by bloody piece. Do I make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/if-you-come-anywhere-near-my-daughter-i-will-see-to-it-that-you-are/)

[Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/)

> [“Let me make it clear. There will be no repeat of that night. Absolutely not! Not ever, do you understand?” "Who are you trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jalpa-williby/let-me-make-it-clear-there-will-be-no-repeat-of-that-night-absolutely/)

Jalpa Williby

> [I want to make it clear that I don't want to gut a team that I come to because then it'll be like I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermaine-o-neal/i-want-to-make-it-clear-that-i-don-t-want-to-gut-a-team-that-i-come/)

[Jermaine O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermaine-o-neal/)

> [You want there to be some magical answer that will just make everything clear and easy to understand, and that's just not the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-harrison/you-want-there-to-be-some-magical-answer-that-will-just-make/)

[Chris Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-harrison/)

> [Make sure you're on my level if you think you wanna go toe-to-toe with me 'cause you cannot. Let's make that very clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trina/make-sure-you-re-on-my-level-if-you-think-you-wanna-go-toe-to-toe/)

[Trina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trina/)

> [We are in the ordinary position of scientists of having to be content with piecemeal improvements: we can make several things clearer, but we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-p-ramsey/we-are-in-the-ordinary-position-of-scientists-of-having-to-be-content/)

[Frank P. Ramsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-p-ramsey/)

> [Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what you now do not know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minna-antrim/practice-what-you-know-and-it-will-help-to-make-clear-what-you-now-do/)

[Minna Antrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minna-antrim/)

> [The path to the belt, I'm trying to make it as clear as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mackenzie-dern/the-path-to-the-belt-i-m-trying-to-make-it-as-clear-as-possible/)

[Mackenzie Dern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mackenzie-dern/)

> [Sometimes you don’t just want to risk making mistakes; you actually want to make them - if only to give you something clear and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/sometimes-you-don-t-just-want-to-risk-making-mistakes-you-actually/)

[Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/)

> [I just want to make it clear that I have been working since I was ten years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/i-just-want-to-make-it-clear-that-i-have-been-working-since-i-was-ten/)

[Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/)

> [I am well aware of it myself that I have to be careful. But I want to make it clear that I am not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franck-ribery/i-am-well-aware-of-it-myself-that-i-have-to-be-careful-but-i-want-to/)

[Franck Ribery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franck-ribery/)

> [Make it clear up front what the aim of the company is. Stay true to your authentic vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-diamandis/make-it-clear-up-front-what-the-aim-of-the-company-is-stay-true-to/)

[Peter Diamandis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-diamandis/)

> [I'm not Sue Bird. I want to make that very clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelsey-plum/i-m-not-sue-bird-i-want-to-make-that-very-clear/)

[Kelsey Plum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelsey-plum/)

> [Journalists never make it clear when you are joking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bailey/journalists-never-make-it-clear-when-you-are-joking/)

[David Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bailey/)

> [I want to make clear only that words are not the things spoken about, and that there is no such thing as an object…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-korzybski/i-want-to-make-clear-only-that-words-are-not-the-things-spoken-about/)

[Alfred Korzybski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-korzybski/)

Browse all 53 Make Clear quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“We have to be what we are, so we don’t have to present a false image. If you love me the way I am, “Okay, take me.” If you don’t love me the way I am, “Okay, bye-bye. Find someone else.” It may sound harsh, but this kind of communication means the personal agreements we make with others are clear and impeccable.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Miguel Ruiz"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-have-to-present-a-false-image/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Make Clear"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-have-to-present-a-false-image/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a1/miguel-ruiz-3193_make-clear_we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-ha_456678.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a1/miguel-ruiz-3193_make-clear_we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-ha_456678.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a1/miguel-ruiz-3193_make-clear_we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-ha_456678.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We have to be what we are, so we don’t have to present a false image. If you love me the way I am, “Okay…” — Miguel Ruiz",
                "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": "Miguel Ruiz",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ruiz/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“We have to be what we...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-have-to-present-a-false-image/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ruiz/we-have-to-be-what-we-are-so-we-don-t-have-to-present-a-false-image/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
