--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I realize that people need something to…" description: "\"I realize that people need something to believe in.\" — Patti Smith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/018/patti-smith-394_believe_i-realize-that-people-need-something-to_1589253.jpg" --- # I realize that people need something to believe in. ![“I realize that people need something to believe in.” quote by Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/018/patti-smith-394_believe_i-realize-that-people-need-something-to_1589253.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/018/patti-smith-394_believe_i-realize-that-people-need-something-to_1589253.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/018/patti-smith-394_believe_i-realize-that-people-need-something-to_1589253.jpg) > “I realize that people need something to believe in.” [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People require a cause or belief to give their lives meaning and direction. **In simple terms:** People need something to believe in. Key Takeaway Find or support a meaningful cause. Themes purpose belief meaning identity Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal crisis - community building - spiritual searching Key Concepts existentialism psychology social cohesion Questions to Reflect On - What belief guides you? - How do you assess its authenticity? A Different Perspective Belief can be manipulated or false. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need/) [Need Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-believe/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-need/) [Realize People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realize-people/) [Realizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing/) ## Related quotes > [Sometimes, you need someone to believe in you when you don't believe in yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tyree-henry/sometimes-you-need-someone-to-believe-in-you-when-you-don-t-believe/) [Brian Tyree Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tyree-henry/) > [Hollywood is so fake and people need to realize that people are just people, and you, too, don't need to be born into something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-perry/hollywood-is-so-fake-and-people-need-to-realize-that-people-are-just/) [Katy Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-perry/) > [Everybody should leave their country at some point and visit others because you realize we're all people who need a chance to know about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-sussman/everybody-should-leave-their-country-at-some-point-and-visit-others/) [Kevin Sussman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-sussman/) > [People need to realize that people have died for your vote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hogg/people-need-to-realize-that-people-have-died-for-your-vote/) [David Hogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hogg/) > [I realize now that people are not thinking about you and me or caring what is said about us. They are thinking about themselves-before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/i-realize-now-that-people-are-not-thinking-about-you-and-me-or-caring/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [Eventually you come to realize that most people aren't looking for a fight but for someone to surrender to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/eventually-you-come-to-realize-that-most-people-aren-t-looking-for-a/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [When you need something to believe in, start with yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frann/when-you-need-something-to-believe-in-start-with-yourself/) [Frann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frann/) > [It's important that we challenge the culture of low expectations. You need to believe every child can do well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munira-mirza/it-s-important-that-we-challenge-the-culture-of-low-expectations-you/) [Munira Mirza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munira-mirza/) > [People need space to air out their thoughts, to have a sense of themselves - unfettered by anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/people-need-space-to-air-out-their-thoughts-to-have-a-sense-of/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“Religion must use law to empower itself and control the people who they need in order to survive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/religion-must-use-law-to-empower-itself-and-control-the-people-who/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [To do something for other people when they need it most just feels good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-bakula/to-do-something-for-other-people-when-they-need-it-most-just-feels/) [Scott Bakula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-bakula/) > [Across the troubled maelstrom of time, people always need a beer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-kushner/across-the-troubled-maelstrom-of-time-people-always-need-a-beer/) [Ellen Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-kushner/) > [People need revelation, and then they need resolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-lewis/people-need-revelation-and-then-they-need-resolution/) [Damian Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-lewis/) > [People need to differentiate me from my roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saqib-saleem/people-need-to-differentiate-me-from-my-roles/) [Saqib Saleem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saqib-saleem/) > [Pause and remember - The only person you need to believe in you is - you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-young/pause-and-remember-the-only-person-you-need-to-believe-in-you-is-you/) [Jennifer Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-young/) ## More by Patti Smith > [I had a really happy childhood - my siblings were great, my mother was very fanciful, and I loved to read. But there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-had-a-really-happy-childhood-my-siblings-were-great-my-mother-was/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [As a citizen, hopefully I'm humanist. As an artist, I'm free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/as-a-citizen-hopefully-i-m-humanist-as-an-artist-i-m-free/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [ Sometimes \[people\] seem to think I came out of the womb, you know, cursing, with an electric guitar. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/sometimes-people-seem-to-think-i-came-out-of-the-womb-you-know/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“Inside it he inscribed a few lines of poetry, portraying us as the gypsy and the fool, one creating silence; one listening closely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/inside-it-he-inscribed-a-few-lines-of-poetry-portraying-us-as-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Who can know the heart of youth but youth itself?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/who-can-know-the-heart-of-youth-but-youth-itself/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [“I clawed through a thick web of the culture’s consciousness that I hadn’t known existed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-clawed-through-a-thick-web-of-the-culture-s-consciousness-that-i/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Ultimately, we are not seeking others to bow to, but to reinforce our individual natures, to help us suffer our own choices, to guide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/ultimately-we-are-not-seeking-others-to-bow-to-but-to-reinforce-our/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [If I'm taking a picture of Brancusi's grave, I know that there's something of him, of his mortal remains, beneath my feet, and there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/if-i-m-taking-a-picture-of-brancusi-s-grave-i-know-that-there-s/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm certain, as we filled down the great staircase, that I appeared the same as ever, a moping twelve years-old, all arms and legs.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-certain-as-we-filled-down-the-great-staircase-that-i-appeared-the/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [In art and dream may you proceed with abandon. In life may you proceed with balance and stealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/in-art-and-dream-may-you-proceed-with-abandon-in-life-may-you-proceed/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [New York is the thing that seduced me. New York is the thing that formed me. New York is the thing that deformed me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/new-york-is-the-thing-that-seduced-me-new-york-is-the-thing-that/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I don't wanna be equal with anybody. I wanna be above equal. I don't think most people are equal to me. I'd like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-don-t-wanna-be-equal-with-anybody-i-wanna-be-above-equal-i-don-t/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I think I'm constantly in a state of adjustment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-think-i-m-constantly-in-a-state-of-adjustment/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Somehow I started introducing writing into my drawings, and after a time, the language took over and I started getting very involved with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/somehow-i-started-introducing-writing-into-my-drawings-and-after-a/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [I'm okay with roaming around the world in my bunk for days on end. Maybe every third day I'll get a shower or stumble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-m-okay-with-roaming-around-the-world-in-my-bunk-for-days-on-end/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) [Explore all 595 Patti Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) [Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I realize that people need something to believe in.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Patti Smith" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-realize-that-people-need-something-to-believe-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-realize-that-people-need-something-to-believe-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/018/patti-smith-394_believe_i-realize-that-people-need-something-to_1589253.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/018/patti-smith-394_believe_i-realize-that-people-need-something-to_1589253.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/018/patti-smith-394_believe_i-realize-that-people-need-something-to_1589253.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I realize that people need something to believe in.” — Patti Smith", "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": "Patti Smith", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I realize that people need something...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-realize-that-people-need-something-to-believe-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/i-realize-that-people-need-something-to-believe-in/#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 } } ] } ```