--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You might not have thought it possible to…" description: "\"You might not have thought it possible to give birth to others before one has given birth to oneself, but I assure you it is quite possible, it has bee..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/sheila-ballantyne-28630_birth_you-might-not-have-thought-it-possible-t_883455.jpg" --- # You might not have thought it possible to give birth to… ![“You might not have thought it possible to give birth to others before one has given birth to oneself, but I assure you it is quite possible, it has been done; I offer myself in evidence as Exhibit A.” quote by Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/sheila-ballantyne-28630_birth_you-might-not-have-thought-it-possible-t_883455.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/sheila-ballantyne-28630_birth_you-might-not-have-thought-it-possible-t_883455.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/sheila-ballantyne-28630_birth_you-might-not-have-thought-it-possible-t_883455.jpg) > “You might not have thought it possible to give birth to others before one has given birth to oneself, but I assure you it is quite possible, it has been done; I offer myself in evidence as Exhibit A.” [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. One can give birth to ideas or creations for others before fully understanding oneself, using personal experience as proof. **In simple terms:** You can create for others before fully knowing yourself. Key Takeaway Embrace self‑discovery through helping others. Themes identity creation self‑growth Mood introspective motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - teaching - mentoring - artistic collaboration - parenting Key Concepts psychology metaphor Questions to Reflect On - How does helping others reveal personal truths? - What limits arise when self‑knowledge is lacking? A Different Perspective Self‑neglect can hinder authentic creation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birth/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) ## Related quotes > [Our soft hearts are what tell us that, whatever the circumstances of birth, everyone must be given opportunities to do well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sendhil-mullainathan/our-soft-hearts-are-what-tell-us-that-whatever-the-circumstances-of/) [Sendhil Mullainathan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sendhil-mullainathan/) > [Of the small gifts of heaven, / It seems to me a more than equal share / At birth was given / To girls with curly hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-mcginley/of-the-small-gifts-of-heaven-it-seems-to-me-a-more-than-equal-share/) [Phyllis McGinley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-mcginley/) > [I wish the world was run by women. Women who have given birth and know the value of their creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simin-daneshvar/i-wish-the-world-was-run-by-women-women-who-have-given-birth-and-know/) Simin Daneshvar > [“Everyone has been overjoyed with the birth of their first son, bringing celebratory sweets, new clothes for the baby, fennel tea to bolster her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shilpi-somaya-gowda/everyone-has-been-overjoyed-with-the-birth-of-their-first-son/) [Shilpi Somaya Gowda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shilpi-somaya-gowda/) > [I have always felt that too much time was given before the birth, which is spent learning things like how to breathe in and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erma-bombeck/i-have-always-felt-that-too-much-time-was-given-before-the-birth/) [Erma Bombeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erma-bombeck/) > [She has given birth to vagabonds. She is the keeper of all these names and numbers now, numbers she once knew by heart, numbers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhumpa-lahiri/she-has-given-birth-to-vagabonds-she-is-the-keeper-of-all-these-names/) [Jhumpa Lahiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhumpa-lahiri/) > [A woman has a responsibility and a privilege that a man doesn't have of given birth to another human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/a-woman-has-a-responsibility-and-a-privilege-that-a-man-doesn-t-have/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [She had given birth to me and nursed me and brought me up. She had known me before I knew myself and now she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-eugenides/she-had-given-birth-to-me-and-nursed-me-and-brought-me-up-she-had/) [Jeffrey Eugenides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-eugenides/) > [“between my dying eggs and his lack of juice, I’m pretty sure I would have given birth to an arm with some hair on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-caponera/between-my-dying-eggs-and-his-lack-of-juice-i-m-pretty-sure-i-would/) Cindy Caponera > [A woman has a responsibility and a privilege that a man doesnt have of given birth to another human being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/a-woman-has-a-responsibility-and-a-privilege-that-a-man-doesnt-have/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [“After sixteen hours straight, she felt as if she had run two triathlons and given birth all in the same day. Mind,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-cross/after-sixteen-hours-straight-she-felt-as-if-she-had-run-two/) [Ethan Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-cross/) > [“Two things we have no control:The family in which you were born it to and the name you were given at birth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/two-things-we-have-no-control-the-family-in-which-you-were-born-it-to/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [I've never actually given birth to a child, but I suspect that going to a Justin Bieber concert with a child is close.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/i-ve-never-actually-given-birth-to-a-child-but-i-suspect-that-going/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [Last time I was in Canada Celine Dion had just given birth to identical twins. Which is quite an achievement given her age and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-ross/last-time-i-was-in-canada-celine-dion-had-just-given-birth-to/) [Jeff Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-ross/) > [When you've got a mother who's given birth to eight children, you know, often without any kind of medical intervention - just she gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-moran/when-you-ve-got-a-mother-who-s-given-birth-to-eight-children-you-know/) [Caitlin Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-moran/) ## More by Sheila Ballantyne > [Illusions are crucial to the maintenance of life functions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/illusions-are-crucial-to-the-maintenance-of-life-functions/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [It's unbelievable the primitive feelings that are aroused by rapid change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/it-s-unbelievable-the-primitive-feelings-that-are-aroused-by-rapid/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [There is no irritant as painful as an ace up your sleeve that you can never use; it's the kind of thing that causes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/there-is-no-irritant-as-painful-as-an-ace-up-your-sleeve-that-you-can/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [Californians are good at planning for the earthquake, while simultaneously denying it will happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/californians-are-good-at-planning-for-the-earthquake-while/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [The moon develops the imagination, as chemicals develop photographic images.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/the-moon-develops-the-imagination-as-chemicals-develop-photographic/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [If you have enough fantasies, you're ready, in the event that something happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/if-you-have-enough-fantasies-you-re-ready-in-the-event-that-something/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [Life is like a great jazz riff. You sense the end the very moment you were wanting it to go on forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/life-is-like-a-great-jazz-riff-you-sense-the-end-the-very-moment-you/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [The trouble with going crazy is that you have to go around making it up to everyone afterwards. It seems they should be making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/the-trouble-with-going-crazy-is-that-you-have-to-go-around-making-it/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [“You can always trust information given to you by people who are crazy. They have access to truth not available through regular channels.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/you-can-always-trust-information-given-to-you-by-people-who-are-crazy/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [everything is ambiguous. It's exciting, in a way, if you can tolerate ambiguity. I can't, but I'm taking a course where it's taught, in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/everything-is-ambiguous-it-s-exciting-in-a-way-if-you-can-tolerate/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [Sundays are terrible because it is clear that there is no one in charge of the world. And this knowledge leave you drifting around,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/sundays-are-terrible-because-it-is-clear-that-there-is-no-one-in/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [I can’t wait fifteen years to do my work: Because my ideas are coming now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/i-can-t-wait-fifteen-years-to-do-my-work-because-my-ideas-are-coming/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [It's expectation that differentiates you from the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/it-s-expectation-that-differentiates-you-from-the-dead/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [Some of my best friends are illusions. Been sustaining me for years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/some-of-my-best-friends-are-illusions-been-sustaining-me-for-years/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) > [Ghetto humor is the social twin of fantasy; together they sustain the powerless, who accomplish miracles through illusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/ghetto-humor-is-the-social-twin-of-fantasy-together-they-sustain-the/) [Sheila Ballantyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) [Explore all 19 Sheila Ballantyne quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/) ## More Birth quotes > [“Conception is the beginning of human life. From the time that an ovum is fertilized a new life begins that is neither that of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/declaration-on-procured-abortion-congregation-for-the-doctrine-of-the-faith-1974/conception-is-the-beginning-of-human-life-from-the-time-that-an-ovum/) Declaration on Procured Abortion Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith 1974 > [In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another day just like today, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/in-the-entire-history-of-the-universe-let-alone-in-your-own-history/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [The greatest mystery in life is not life itself, but death. Death is the culmination of life, the ultimate blossoming of life. In death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/the-greatest-mystery-in-life-is-not-life-itself-but-death-death-is/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [Guns have little or nothing to do with juvenile violence. The causes of youth violence are working parents who put their kids into daycare,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/guns-have-little-or-nothing-to-do-with-juvenile-violence-the-causes/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [“Every child is born as angel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/every-child-is-born-as-angel/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Nirvana is a word that means enlightenment, being beyond the illusion of birth and death, the illusion of pain, the illusion of love, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/nirvana-is-a-word-that-means-enlightenment-being-beyond-the-illusion/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [It was no accident, no coincidence, that the seasons came round and round year after year. It was the Lord speaking to us all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-rivers/it-was-no-accident-no-coincidence-that-the-seasons-came-round-and/) [Francine Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-rivers/) > [We do not want to be reminded that it is we, the indigenous people, who are poor and exploited in the land of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/we-do-not-want-to-be-reminded-that-it-is-we-the-indigenous-people-who/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [There are two kinds of beauty; there is a beauty which God gives at birth, and which withers as a flower. And there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/there-are-two-kinds-of-beauty-there-is-a-beauty-which-god-gives-at/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [Always keep the smile, because the smile is the beginning of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-imad/always-keep-the-smile-because-the-smile-is-the-beginning-of-love/) Adam Imad > [The wailing of the newborn infant is mingled with the dirge for the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/the-wailing-of-the-newborn-infant-is-mingled-with-the-dirge-for-the/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [I gave birth to most of them MC's... So when it comes around to the month of May, Send me your royalty check for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxanne-shante/i-gave-birth-to-most-of-them-mc-s-so-when-it-comes-around-to-the/) Roxanne Shante > [“A Beautiful verse takes birth when "U"n"I" VERSE.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajesh-walecha/a-beautiful-verse-takes-birth-when-u-n-i-verse/) [Rajesh Walecha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajesh-walecha/) > [“There is no born evil, only a corruptible canvas darkened by a formidable perpetrator.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yefon-isabelle/there-is-no-born-evil-only-a-corruptible-canvas-darkened-by-a/) [Yefon Isabelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yefon-isabelle/) > [I've always thought that the most extraordinary special effect you could do is to buy a child at the moment of its birth, sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/i-ve-always-thought-that-the-most-extraordinary-special-effect-you/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) [Browse all 6,183 Birth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birth/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You might not have thought it possible to give birth to others before one has given birth to oneself, but I assure you it is quite possible, it has been done; I offer myself in evidence as Exhibit A.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sheila Ballantyne" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/you-might-not-have-thought-it-possible-to-give-birth-to-others-before/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Birth" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/you-might-not-have-thought-it-possible-to-give-birth-to-others-before/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/sheila-ballantyne-28630_birth_you-might-not-have-thought-it-possible-t_883455.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/sheila-ballantyne-28630_birth_you-might-not-have-thought-it-possible-t_883455.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/46a/sheila-ballantyne-28630_birth_you-might-not-have-thought-it-possible-t_883455.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You might not have thought it possible to give birth to others before one has given birth to oneself, but I…” — Sheila Ballantyne", "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": "Sheila Ballantyne", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-ballantyne/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You might not have thought it...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/you-might-not-have-thought-it-possible-to-give-birth-to-others-before/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-ballantyne/you-might-not-have-thought-it-possible-to-give-birth-to-others-before/#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 } } ] } ```