--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The authentic human being is one of us…" description: "\"“The authentic human being is one of us who instinctively knows what he should not do, and, in addition, he will balk at doing it. He will refuse to do..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/326/philip-k-dick-502_authenticity_the-authentic-human-being-is-one-of-us-w_3206069.jpg" --- # The authentic human being is one of us who instinctively… ![“The authentic human being is one of us who instinctively knows what he should not do, and, in addition, he will balk at doing it. He will refuse to do it, even if this brings down dread consequences to him and to those whom he loves. This, to me, is the ultimately heroic trait of ordinary people…” quote by Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/326/philip-k-dick-502_authenticity_the-authentic-human-being-is-one-of-us-w_3206069.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/326/philip-k-dick-502_authenticity_the-authentic-human-being-is-one-of-us-w_3206069.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/326/philip-k-dick-502_authenticity_the-authentic-human-being-is-one-of-us-w_3206069.jpg) > ““The authentic human being is one of us who instinctively knows what he should not do, and, in addition, he will balk at doing it. He will refuse to do it, even if this brings down dread consequences to him and to those whom he loves. This, to me, is the ultimately heroic trait of ordinary people; they say no to the tyrant and they calmly take the consequences of this resistance. Their deeds may be small, and almost always unnoticed, unmarked by history. Their names are not remembered, nor did these authentic humans expect their names to be remembered. I see their authenticity in an odd way: not in their willingness to perform great heroic deeds but in their quiet refusals. In essence, they cannot be compelled to be what they are not.”” [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True heroism lies in ordinary people quietly refusing immoral actions, despite personal risk and lack of recognition. **In simple terms:** Ordinary people refuse wrongdoings. Key Takeaway Stand up to injustice. Themes morality courage resistance Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - whistleblowing - civil disobedience - personal integrity Key Concepts ethics social psychology Questions to Reflect On - What small act of resistance can you take? - How do you handle fear of consequences? A Different Perspective Such refusals can be dangerous and may not change systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authentic Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authentic-human-988242/) [Authentic Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authentic-humans-5971374/) [Authenticity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authenticity/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Heroes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroes/) [Heroic deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroic-deeds/) [Heroic Trait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroic-trait-2971570/) [Science fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-fiction/) [Writers-on-writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writers-on-writing/) ## Related quotes > [This, to me, is the ultimately heroic trait of ordinary people; they say no to the tyrant and they calmly take the consequences of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/this-to-me-is-the-ultimately-heroic-trait-of-ordinary-people-they-say/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [The two basic topics which fascinate me are 'What is reality?' and 'What constitutes the authentic human being?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/the-two-basic-topics-which-fascinate-me-are-what-is-reality-and-what/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [What constitutes the authentic human being?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/what-constitutes-the-authentic-human-being/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“There are many greedy and clever human animals in this world, but few human beings. Authentic human beings are so rare that I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-yves-leloup/there-are-many-greedy-and-clever-human-animals-in-this-world-but-few/) [Jean-Yves Leloup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-yves-leloup/) > [“The authentic human has the might of compassion and the creative power to do any manner of good.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/the-authentic-human-has-the-might-of-compassion-and-the-creative/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“Everywhere I look I see people doing their best to make sense of this overwhelming reality, and to be kind, authentic human beings despite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/everywhere-i-look-i-see-people-doing-their-best-to-make-sense-of-this/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) > [Only authentic human beings can create a society which will be joyous, ecstatic, and in the real sense, human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/only-authentic-human-beings-can-create-a-society-which-will-be-joyous/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [“spirituality does not have to be a scary, excluding, or arcane process, but instead that a spiritual life is a never-ending quest to become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-d-maurer/spirituality-does-not-have-to-be-a-scary-excluding-or-arcane-process/) [Daniel D. Maurer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-d-maurer/) > [I would have preferred to have been in a film where I could've been more authentic or more human, where the dialogue and my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/troy-donahue/i-would-have-preferred-to-have-been-in-a-film-where-i-could-ve-been/) [Troy Donahue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/troy-donahue/) > [I think the most important practice is to be authentic with our human selves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-mccormick-day/i-think-the-most-important-practice-is-to-be-authentic-with-our-human/) [Christine McCormick Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-mccormick-day/) > [Authentic human interactions become impossible when you lose yourself in a role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/authentic-human-interactions-become-impossible-when-you-lose-yourself/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [You have to make a space in your heart, in your mind and in your life itself for authentic human connection.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/you-have-to-make-a-space-in-your-heart-in-your-mind-and-in-your-life/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Feeling - what authentic human fun!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/feeling-what-authentic-human-fun/) [Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/) > [Perhaps in our presence, the most heroic deed on earth is done in some silent spirit, the loftiest purpose cherished, the most generous sacrifice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/perhaps-in-our-presence-the-most-heroic-deed-on-earth-is-done-in-some/) [William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/) > [Some men make gain a fountain, whence proceeds A stream of liberal and heroic deeds; The swell of pity, not to be confined Within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-cowper/some-men-make-gain-a-fountain-whence-proceeds-a-stream-of-liberal-and/) [William Cowper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-cowper/) ## More by Philip K. Dick > [So we and our elaborately evolving computers may meet each other halfway. Someday a human being, named perhaps Fred White, may shoot a robot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/so-we-and-our-elaborately-evolving-computers-may-meet-each-other/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [Even if all life on our planet is destroyed, there must be other life somewhere which we know nothing of. It is impossible that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/even-if-all-life-on-our-planet-is-destroyed-there-must-be-other-life/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“That is not how you do it; you do not solve one problem with another, greater problem.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/that-is-not-how-you-do-it-you-do-not-solve-one-problem-with-another/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [For each person there is a sentence—a series of words—which has the power to destroy them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/for-each-person-there-is-a-sentence-a-series-of-words-which-has-the/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [I want to write about people I love, and put them into a fictional world spun out of my own mind, not the world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/i-want-to-write-about-people-i-love-and-put-them-into-a-fictional/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [Why does a man cry? he wondered. Not like a woman; not for that. Not for sentiment. A man cries over the loss of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/why-does-a-man-cry-he-wondered-not-like-a-woman-not-for-that-not-for/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [The day came. The wrath descended. Sin, guilt, and retribution? The manic psychoses of those entities we referred to as states, institutions, systems -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/the-day-came-the-wrath-descended-sin-guilt-and-retribution-the-manic/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [The church of my choice is the free, open world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/the-church-of-my-choice-is-the-free-open-world/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“I see,' Rick said. He felt numb. Completely. Throughout his entire body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/i-see-rick-said-he-felt-numb-completely-throughout-his-entire-body/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“What is identity? he asked himself. Where does the act end? Nobody knows.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/what-is-identity-he-asked-himself-where-does-the-act-end-nobody-knows/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [You're killing yourself with cynicism. Your idols got taken away from you one by one and now you have nothing to give your love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/you-re-killing-yourself-with-cynicism-your-idols-got-taken-away-from/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [What scared me the most was when my father would put on the gasmask. His face would disappear... This was not a human being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/what-scared-me-the-most-was-when-my-father-would-put-on-the-gasmask/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“A man is an angel that has become deranged, Joe Fernwright thought. Once they – all of them – had been genuine angels, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/a-man-is-an-angel-that-has-become-deranged-joe-fernwright-thought/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [“When do I see a photograph, when a reflection?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/when-do-i-see-a-photograph-when-a-reflection/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) > [My major preoccupation is the question, 'What is reality?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-k-dick/my-major-preoccupation-is-the-question-what-is-reality/) [Philip K. Dick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) [Explore all 489 Philip K. Dick quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-k-dick/) ## More Authenticity quotes > [“the property that grounded the self in Romanticism was sincerity, and in modernism was authenticity, then in postmod ernism it is visibility.10”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hedges/the-property-that-grounded-the-self-in-romanticism-was-sincerity-and/) [Chris Hedges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hedges/) > [Every genuine expression of love grows out of a consistent and total surrender to God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/every-genuine-expression-of-love-grows-out-of-a-consistent-and-total/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Real artists offer authenticity, not just money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhymefest/real-artists-offer-authenticity-not-just-money/) [Rhymefest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhymefest/) > [“I figure the more people think I'm just mildly weird, the less likely they are to know how weird I really am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-hooyenga/i-figure-the-more-people-think-i-m-just-mildly-weird-the-less-likely/) [Melanie Hooyenga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-hooyenga/) > [I think people can read authenticity and they know when you're involved and when you're just slapping your name on something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/la-la-anthony/i-think-people-can-read-authenticity-and-they-know-when-you-re/) [La La Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/la-la-anthony/) > [“I strive for authenticity even though it brings with it vulnerability and the inevitable judgment of others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-r-w-lee/i-strive-for-authenticity-even-though-it-brings-with-it-vulnerability/) [L.R.W. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-r-w-lee/) > [Children go where they find sincerity and authenticity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-cantona/children-go-where-they-find-sincerity-and-authenticity/) [Eric Cantona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-cantona/) > [Accepting the reality of our sinfulness means accepting our authentic self. Judas could not face his shadow; Peter could. The latter befriended the impostor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brennan-manning/accepting-the-reality-of-our-sinfulness-means-accepting-our-authentic/) [Brennan Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brennan-manning/) > [“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, focus your energy on what you can create.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-bennett/instead-of-worrying-about-what-you-cannot-control-focus-your-energy/) [Roy Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-bennett/) > [Anything that I ever do is from the heart and authentic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/belinda-carlisle/anything-that-i-ever-do-is-from-the-heart-and-authentic/) [Belinda Carlisle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/belinda-carlisle/) > [What I love about Nivea is they're all about authenticity. The brand isn't pretending to be anything it isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-virtue/what-i-love-about-nivea-is-they-re-all-about-authenticity-the-brand/) [Tessa Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-virtue/) > [There is nothing which so certifies the genuineness of a man's faith as his patience and his patient endurance, his keeping on steadily in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-nothing-which-so-certifies-the-genuineness-of-a-man-s-faith/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you're really famous, there's very little authenticity in people, so you prefer the company of children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-ryan/when-you-re-really-famous-there-s-very-little-authenticity-in-people/) [Katherine Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-ryan/) > [“We could not be fulfilled if we weren't inauthentic some of the time—inauthentic, that is, in relation to such things as our passing desires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-de-botton/we-could-not-be-fulfilled-if-we-weren-t-inauthentic-some-of-the-time/) [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) > [No man knows the genuineness of his convictions until he has sacrificed something for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-hubbel-chapin/no-man-knows-the-genuineness-of-his-convictions-until-he-has/) [Edwin Hubbel Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-hubbel-chapin/) [Browse all 1,437 Authenticity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authenticity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The authentic human being is one of us who instinctively knows what he should not do, and, in addition, he will balk at doing it. 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