Attitudes Quote by Ralph Ellison
““What and how much had I lost by trying to do only what was expected of me instead of what I myself had wished to do? What a waste, what a senseless waste! But what of those things which you actually didn't like, not because you were not supposed to like them, not because to dislike them was considered a mark of refinement and education - but because you actually found them distasteful? The very idea annoyed me. How could you know? It involved a problem of choice. I would have to weigh many things carefully before deciding and there would be some things that would cause quite a bit of trouble, simply because I had never formed a personal attitude toward so much. I had accepted the accepted attitudes and it had made life seem simple ...””
About This Quote
Source Book: Invisible Man, Ralph Ellison, 1952
The quote reflects regret over conforming to external expectations instead of pursuing personal desires, highlighting the loss of authenticity and the difficulty of making choices without a personal framework.
In simple terms: Regretting living for others instead of yourself.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate personal values before decisions.
Themes
authenticity
choice
conformity
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- creative projects
- relationship decisions
- educational paths
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑determination
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal desires have you ignored?
- How can you develop your own criteria for choices?
A Different Perspective
Personal values are hard to define without reflection.
![“The question I’m always asked when I tell our story about getting out and staying out of debt is “How did you do it?” And my answer is always “We changed our attitudes toward money.” An attitude is a disposition, orientation, or mental or emotional outlook on something.[2] As Marco and I changed…” quote by Carrie Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1f5/carrie-rocha-54740_financial-success_the-question-i-m-always-asked-when-i-tel_81988.jpg)
