--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An individual, a thing apart from its…" description: "\"“An individual, a thing apart from its environment, and apart from all things in that environment; an individual was a type of thing for which symbols ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/samuel-r-delany-2591_identity_an-individual-a-thing-apart-from-its-env_2806649.png" --- # An individual, a thing apart from its environment, and… ![“An individual, a thing apart from its environment, and apart from all things in that environment; an individual was a type of thing for which symbols were inadequate, and so names were invented. I am invented.” quote by Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/samuel-r-delany-2591_identity_an-individual-a-thing-apart-from-its-env_2806649.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/samuel-r-delany-2591_identity_an-individual-a-thing-apart-from-its-env_2806649.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/843/samuel-r-delany-2591_identity_an-individual-a-thing-apart-from-its-env_2806649.png) > ““An individual, a thing apart from its environment, and apart from all things in that environment; an individual was a type of thing for which symbols were inadequate, and so names were invented. I am invented.”” [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author reflects on individuality as separate from environment, requiring symbols and names to represent the self, suggesting identity is constructed. **In simple terms:** Identity is a constructed concept needing symbols. Key Takeaway Recognize the fluidity of self and the role of language in shaping identity. Themes identity philosophy language self construction Mood introspective analytical Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - creative writing - philosophical inquiry - identity studies - social theory Key Concepts symbolic representation existential thought Questions to Reflect On - How do symbols shape your self‑perception? - What role does environment play in forming identity? A Different Perspective Over‑emphasis on abstraction can neglect lived experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Environment Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment-individual-3489698/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Individual Thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual-thing-528616/) [Individual Type](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual-type-3489699/) [Names Invented](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names-invented-1817948/) ## Related quotes > [“When afterwards he mentioned the names of the Tartars he had got to know on his pilgrimage, like Hallimulabalibay, to which he added a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaroslav-ha-ek/when-afterwards-he-mentioned-the-names-of-the-tartars-he-had-got-to/) [Jaroslav Hasek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaroslav-ha-ek/) > [It is the office of the school environment to balance the various elements in the social environment, and to see to it that each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/it-is-the-office-of-the-school-environment-to-balance-the-various/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Habit is a compromise effected between the individual and his environment, or between the individual and his own organic eccentricities, the guarantee of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/habit-is-a-compromise-effected-between-the-individual-and-his/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [For people like us, we do not have a choice over the environment were in. 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Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [From 1968 on, I was pretty much the black, gay SF writer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/from-1968-on-i-was-pretty-much-the-black-gay-sf-writer/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [“Neurotics, proceed with delusions of grandeur. Napoleon Bonaparte, take the lead. Jesus Christ, bring up the rear. Simulate severe depression. Non-communicative with repressed hostility.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/neurotics-proceed-with-delusions-of-grandeur-napoleon-bonaparte-take/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [“Do you follow the wrestling? Most people think it's illegal, but you can watch it there. Ruby and Python are on display this evening.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/do-you-follow-the-wrestling-most-people-think-it-s-illegal-but-you/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [Spending practically every minute of your day on pure survival is an absolutely boring life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/spending-practically-every-minute-of-your-day-on-pure-survival-is-an/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [When what is is congruent to what is supposed, the reaction is functional and the mental processes competent. When what is and what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/when-what-is-is-congruent-to-what-is-supposed-the-reaction-is/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [Everyone in a position of authority is hysterical, and everyone else is pretending to be asleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/everyone-in-a-position-of-authority-is-hysterical-and-everyone-else/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [Since I spent eighteen years of my life as a child, and nine years of that life as a pretty sexually active gay child,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/since-i-spent-eighteen-years-of-my-life-as-a-child-and-nine-years-of/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) [Explore all 158 Samuel R. Delany quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) ## More Identity quotes > [I don't doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-don-t-doubt-that-straight-white-men-have-identity-issues-and/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [In the hearing world, I'm constantly having to lip-read and trying to understand what's going on. Sign language is so beautiful. 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