--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The courage to be is the courage to…" description: "\"The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself as accepted in spite of being unacceptable\" — Paul Tillich" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/paul-tillich-3183_accept_the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-acce_2324192.jpg" --- # The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself as… ![“The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself as accepted in spite of being unacceptable” quote by Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/paul-tillich-3183_accept_the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-acce_2324192.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/paul-tillich-3183_accept_the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-acce_2324192.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/paul-tillich-3183_accept_the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-acce_2324192.jpg) > “The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself as accepted in spite of being unacceptable” [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being authentic means accepting oneself despite inherent flaws and societal rejection. **In simple terms:** Accept yourself even if flawed. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑acceptance despite external judgment. Themes self-acceptance authenticity existentialism Mood thoughtful serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - personal journaling - public speaking - social activism Key Concepts Courage identity Questions to Reflect On - How do you practice self‑acceptance? - What limits does society place on authenticity? A Different Perspective Self‑acceptance may clash with needed norms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) ## Related quotes > [The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself, in spite of being unacceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-accept-oneself-in-spite-of-being/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Let us be very sincere in our dealings with each other, and have the courage to accept each other as we are. Do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/let-us-be-very-sincere-in-our-dealings-with-each-other-and-have-the/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [Have the courage to accept what you can't alter and to alter what you can't accept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/have-the-courage-to-accept-what-you-can-t-alter-and-to-alter-what-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The most terrifying thing is to accept oneself completely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-most-terrifying-thing-is-to-accept-oneself-completely/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What is freedom? It consists in two things: to know each his own limitations and accept them - that is the same thing as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-bridge/what-is-freedom-it-consists-in-two-things-to-know-each-his-own/) [Ann Bridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-bridge/) > [Nothing is harder than to accept oneself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-frisch/nothing-is-harder-than-to-accept-oneself/) [Max Frisch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-frisch/) > [Faith in God... produces character; character will produce courage, courage to face the challenges of the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-cameron/faith-in-god-produces-character-character-will-produce-courage/) [Kirk Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-cameron/) > [The greatest courage you can have is the courage to admit your mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/the-greatest-courage-you-can-have-is-the-courage-to-admit-your/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Love is a condition so powerful; it may be that which pulls the stars in the firmament. It may be that which pushes and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/love-is-a-condition-so-powerful-it-may-be-that-which-pulls-the-stars/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [If the disappointing starts to the time / when you lose your courage, and courage tolose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/if-the-disappointing-starts-to-the-time-when-you-lose-your-courage/) Mak\_786 > [“Courage is being who you are. Courage is sacred of thyself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/courage-is-being-who-you-are-courage-is-sacred-of-thyself/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [It takes enough courage to accept the truth and it takes only truth to accept the courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj-somany/it-takes-enough-courage-to-accept-the-truth-and-it-takes-only-truth/) [Anuj Somany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj-somany/) > [“He accepts life in all its facets, in all its climates and colors. He alone does not choose he accepts life unconditionally. He does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/he-accepts-life-in-all-its-facets-in-all-its-climates-and-colors-he/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [“We all can heal ourselves. All we need is courage to accept the truth, dig deep without our hearts to find the light of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anamika-mishra/we-all-can-heal-ourselves-all-we-need-is-courage-to-accept-the-truth/) [Anamika Mishra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anamika-mishra/) > [Have courage enough to accept what you can not change, but yet courageous enough to stand up and fight for what you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-hensel/have-courage-enough-to-accept-what-you-can-not-change-but-yet/) [Robert M. Hensel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-hensel/) ## More by Paul Tillich > [Decision is a risk rooted in the courage of being free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/decision-is-a-risk-rooted-in-the-courage-of-being-free/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Faith is the state of being ultimately concerned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/faith-is-the-state-of-being-ultimately-concerned/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [ \[American\] conformism might approximate collectivism, not so much in economic respects, and not too much in political respects, but very much in the pattern… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/american-conformism-might-approximate-collectivism-not-so-much-in/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [There is no condition for forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/there-is-no-condition-for-forgiveness/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [He who risks and fails can be forgiven. He who never risks and never fails is a failure in his whole being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/he-who-risks-and-fails-can-be-forgiven-he-who-never-risks-and-never/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Symbols have one characteristic in common with signs; they point beyond themselves to something else. The red sign at the street corner points to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/symbols-have-one-characteristic-in-common-with-signs-they-point/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [In those who rest on their unshakable faith, pharisaism and fanaticism are the unmistakable symptoms of doubt which has been repressed. Doubt is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/in-those-who-rest-on-their-unshakable-faith-pharisaism-and-fanaticism/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [When you love someone and you love them with your heart, it never disappears when you're apart. Anh when you love someone and you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/when-you-love-someone-and-you-love-them-with-your-heart-it-never/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Being religious means asking passionately the question of the meaning of our existence and being willing to receive answers, even if the answers hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/being-religious-means-asking-passionately-the-question-of-the-meaning/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [The joy about our work is spoiled when we perform it not because of what we produce but because of the pleasure with which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-joy-about-our-work-is-spoiled-when-we-perform-it-not-because-of/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [In the courageous standing of uncertainty, faith shows most visibly its dynamic character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/in-the-courageous-standing-of-uncertainty-faith-shows-most-visibly/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [For love ... is the blood of life, the power of reunion in the separated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/for-love-is-the-blood-of-life-the-power-of-reunion-in-the-separated/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [Man's ultimate concern must be expressed symbolically, because symbolic language alone is able to express the ultimate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/man-s-ultimate-concern-must-be-expressed-symbolically-because/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [man is free, in so far as he has the power of contradicting himself and his essential nature. Man is free even from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/man-is-free-in-so-far-as-he-has-the-power-of-contradicting-himself/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) > [The citizens of a city are not guilty of the crimes committed in their city; but they are guilty as participants in the destiny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-citizens-of-a-city-are-not-guilty-of-the-crimes-committed-in/) [Paul Tillich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) [Explore all 136 Paul Tillich quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/) ## More Accept quotes > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [The shelves of many evangelicals are full of books that point out the flaws in evolution, discuss it only as a theory, and almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-shelves-of-many-evangelicals-are-full-of-books-that-point-out-the/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [The fans can accept a poor performance, but they won't take it when you choose not to put in the effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pep-guardiola/the-fans-can-accept-a-poor-performance-but-they-won-t-take-it-when/) [Pep Guardiola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pep-guardiola/) > [“See, I know what they think about me. That I’m some project. And, yeah, I’ll accept their help. But I’m gonna pay my way.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirsty-eagar/see-i-know-what-they-think-about-me-that-i-m-some-project-and-yeah-i/) [Kirsty Eagar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirsty-eagar/) > [If you're disabled or different from what general society deems normal, it's fine. There will always be people who won't accept you, but there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/millicent-simmonds/if-you-re-disabled-or-different-from-what-general-society-deems/) [Millicent Simmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/millicent-simmonds/) > [Things don't go on forever, and the quicker you accept that change is inevitable, the happier you're gonna be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trey-anastasio/things-don-t-go-on-forever-and-the-quicker-you-accept-that-change-is/) [Trey Anastasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trey-anastasio/) > [It's very important to me that people accept me as a transgendered female. But it's ridiculous to a lot of people and I understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-arquette/it-s-very-important-to-me-that-people-accept-me-as-a-transgendered/) [Alexis Arquette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-arquette/) > [I've always taken care of myself, and I'm a non-conformist, so I don't accept the negativity that comes with birthdays.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-van-dam/i-ve-always-taken-care-of-myself-and-i-m-a-non-conformist-so-i-don-t/) [Rob Van Dam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-van-dam/) > [Not harder than it should be, no. We're about the business, we're about the work. It's all about the work, always. We have fun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-fuqua/not-harder-than-it-should-be-no-we-re-about-the-business-we-re-about/) [Antoine Fuqua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-fuqua/) > [I wish I could just accept that I'm not that good and not be shy about the fact that I'm not that professional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-gainsbourg/i-wish-i-could-just-accept-that-i-m-not-that-good-and-not-be-shy/) [Charlotte Gainsbourg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-gainsbourg/) > [I cannot accept being silent in the face of injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine-crockett/i-cannot-accept-being-silent-in-the-face-of-injustice/) [Jasmine Crockett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine-crockett/) > [“I hope there is less stigma and judgment against working moms and childless career women. All should be acceptable positions and society should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chan-heng-chee/i-hope-there-is-less-stigma-and-judgment-against-working-moms-and/) Chan Heng Chee > [“Of course I can accept you for who you are. You are someone I need to change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-glasbergen/of-course-i-can-accept-you-for-who-you-are-you-are-someone-i-need-to/) [Randy Glasbergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-glasbergen/) > [I can't be that kind of person others want me to be.I know I can't please everybody for just being me But I'm glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nix/i-can-t-be-that-kind-of-person-others-want-me-to-be-i-know-i-can-t/) [Nix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nix/) > [I don't care who you are,Where you from,As long as you love me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mks-vibz/i-don-t-care-who-you-are-where-you-from-as-long-as-you-love-me/) [Mks Vibz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mks-vibz/) Browse all 2,963 Accept quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself as accepted in spite of being unacceptable", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Paul Tillich" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-accept-oneself-as-accepted-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accept" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-accept-oneself-as-accepted-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/paul-tillich-3183_accept_the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-acce_2324192.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/paul-tillich-3183_accept_the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-acce_2324192.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22c/paul-tillich-3183_accept_the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-acce_2324192.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The courage to be is the courage to accept oneself as accepted in spite of being unacceptable” — Paul Tillich", "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": "Paul Tillich", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tillich/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The courage to be is the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-accept-oneself-as-accepted-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tillich/the-courage-to-be-is-the-courage-to-accept-oneself-as-accepted-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 } } ] } ```