--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A person is either himself or not…" description: "\"A person is either himself or not himself; is either rooted in his existence or is a fabrication; has either found his humanhood or is still playing wi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/sydney-j-harris-1578_child_a-person-is-either-himself-or-not-himsel_2253870.png" --- # A person is either himself or not himself; is either… ![“A person is either himself or not himself; is either rooted in his existence or is a fabrication; has either found his humanhood or is still playing with masks and roles and status symbols. And nobody is more aware of this difference (although unconsciously) than a child. Only an authentic person…” quote by Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/sydney-j-harris-1578_child_a-person-is-either-himself-or-not-himsel_2253870.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/sydney-j-harris-1578_child_a-person-is-either-himself-or-not-himsel_2253870.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f42/sydney-j-harris-1578_child_a-person-is-either-himself-or-not-himsel_2253870.png) > “A person is either himself or not himself; is either rooted in his existence or is a fabrication; has either found his humanhood or is still playing with masks and roles and status symbols. And nobody is more aware of this difference (although unconsciously) than a child. Only an authentic person can evoke a good response in the core of the other person; only person is resonant to person.” [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Authenticity requires embracing one's true self, not a constructed persona, and children intuitively perceive this. **In simple terms:** Be true to yourself. Key Takeaway Cultivate genuine self‑expression. Themes identity authenticity self‑awareness Mood introspective hopeful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - personal development - parenting - team building Key Concepts existentialism psychology Questions to Reflect On - What masks do you wear in daily life? - How can you encourage authenticity in others? A Different Perspective Authenticity can be socially risky and may clash with expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/child/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mask](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mask/) [Symbols](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/symbols/) ## Related quotes > [Allow the child to be authentic, to move, to feel the way they move, appreciating them for what they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magda-gerber/allow-the-child-to-be-authentic-to-move-to-feel-the-way-they-move/) [Magda Gerber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magda-gerber/) > [Over seven billion people are on the earth, yet not one of us has the same fingerprints, or footprints, or even laugh. Every individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bakare/over-seven-billion-people-are-on-the-earth-yet-not-one-of-us-has-the/) [Bakare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bakare/) > [Too often, we are being programmed by the environment around us to behave differently. But I think a true leader is an authentic person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-polman/too-often-we-are-being-programmed-by-the-environment-around-us-to/) [Paul Polman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-polman/) > [I'm an authentic person: I can talk about diabetes and how it affects you because I'm actually diabetic, and I know how much help…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-dash/i-m-an-authentic-person-i-can-talk-about-diabetes-and-how-it-affects/) [Damon Dash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-dash/) > [I had to detach myself from myself, if that makes any sense, to conjure an authentic first-person voice. In that sense, it was similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-christensen/i-had-to-detach-myself-from-myself-if-that-makes-any-sense-to-conjure/) [Kate Christensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-christensen/) > [“An authentic person is one who is an unobstructed channel between what they 'Will', what they do, and how they live: one who listens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-fitchett/an-authentic-person-is-one-who-is-an-unobstructed-channel-between/) [Garry Fitchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-fitchett/) > [When you acknowledge that there is nothing repulsive or unforgivable or shameful about yourself, it becomes easier to be that authentic person and feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/when-you-acknowledge-that-there-is-nothing-repulsive-or-unforgivable/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [The reason why Donald Trump does have a very strong base of popularity is he's an authentic person and not necessarily a politician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/the-reason-why-donald-trump-does-have-a-very-strong-base-of/) [Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/) > [“The biggest mistake people make when trying to be authentic is just that: they try. They see these role models of what an "authentic"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vironika-tugaleva/the-biggest-mistake-people-make-when-trying-to-be-authentic-is-just/) [Vironika Tugaleva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vironika-tugaleva/) > [I love the idea that 'a person is a person no matter how small'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/i-love-the-idea-that-a-person-is-a-person-no-matter-how-small/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [I believe in person to person. Every person is Christ to me, and since there is only one Jesus, that person is the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/i-believe-in-person-to-person-every-person-is-christ-to-me-and-since/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [An irresponsible person is a person who makes vague promises, then breaks his word, blames it on circumstances and expects other people to forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/an-irresponsible-person-is-a-person-who-makes-vague-promises-then/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [In person, I am a person who doesn't talk about myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akhil-akkineni/in-person-i-am-a-person-who-doesn-t-talk-about-myself/) [Akhil Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akhil-akkineni/) > [To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world. ~unknown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-the-world-you-may-be-one-person-but-to-one-person-you-may-be-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-downs/happy-person-is-not-a-person-in-a-certain-set-of-circumstances-but/) [Hugh Downs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-downs/) ## More by Sydney J. Harris > [This is a lesson mankind has not yet learned. We identify, and stratify, and treat persons largely on the basis of their accidental (physical)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/this-is-a-lesson-mankind-has-not-yet-learned-we-identify-and-stratify/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Character is something you forge for yourself; temperament is something you are born with and can only slightly modify.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/character-is-something-you-forge-for-yourself-temperament-is/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Middle Age is that perplexing time of life when we hear two voices calling us, one saying, 'Why not?' and the other, 'Why bother?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/middle-age-is-that-perplexing-time-of-life-when-we-hear-two-voices/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [The profound immoralities of our time are cruelty, indifference, injustice and the use of others as means rather than ends in themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/the-profound-immoralities-of-our-time-are-cruelty-indifference/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Marriages we regard as the happiest are those in which each of the partners believes he or she got the best of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/marriages-we-regard-as-the-happiest-are-those-in-which-each-of-the/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“...it calls for deciding things on their own merit, not because you read it or were told it or grew up believing it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/it-calls-for-deciding-things-on-their-own-merit-not-because-you-read/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Ignorance per se is not nearly as dangerous as ignorance of ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/ignorance-per-se-is-not-nearly-as-dangerous-as-ignorance-of-ignorance/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Patriotism is proud of a country's virtues and eager to correct its deficiencies; it also acknowledges the legitimate patriotism of other countries, with their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/patriotism-is-proud-of-a-country-s-virtues-and-eager-to-correct-its/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [A cynic is not merely one who reads bitter lessons from the past, his is also one who is permanently disappointed in the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/a-cynic-is-not-merely-one-who-reads-bitter-lessons-from-the-past-his/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Time is love, above all else. It is the most precious commodity in the world and should be lavished on those we care most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/time-is-love-above-all-else-it-is-the-most-precious-commodity-in-the/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Just about the only interruption we don't object to is applause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/just-about-the-only-interruption-we-don-t-object-to-is-applause/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“The cynic is goodhearted beneath his facade, whereas the sentimentalist is flint-hearted beneath his.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/the-cynic-is-goodhearted-beneath-his-facade-whereas-the/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Any philosophy that can be put in a nutshell belongs there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/any-philosophy-that-can-be-put-in-a-nutshell-belongs-there/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [“Like all persecuted minority groups, they strike back by forming cabals, by “taking over” certain spheres of activity (in the arts, for instance), and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/like-all-persecuted-minority-groups-they-strike-back-by-forming/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [Intolerance is the most socially acceptable form of egotism, for it permits us to assume superiority without personal boasting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/intolerance-is-the-most-socially-acceptable-form-of-egotism-for-it/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) [Explore all 226 Sydney J. Harris quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) ## More Child quotes > [The thing about hitting kids is, think about if you were doing the same thing to another adult. Hitting your kid is really the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-thing-about-hitting-kids-is-think-about-if-you-were-doing-the/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [“Children's lives are always beginning and adults' lives are always ending. Or is it the opposite? Your childhood is always ending and your adult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-espach/children-s-lives-are-always-beginning-and-adults-lives-are-always/) [Alison Espach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-espach/) > [“As parents who make every effort we can to raise our children in loving security, we do not need to feel more guilt than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabor-mat/as-parents-who-make-every-effort-we-can-to-raise-our-children-in/) [Gabor Maté](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabor-mat/) > [I want to make my music and be a happy woman, a good wife, a good mom and one day hopefully have a child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leann-rimes/i-want-to-make-my-music-and-be-a-happy-woman-a-good-wife-a-good-mom/) [LeAnn Rimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leann-rimes/) > [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [We're raising children who have little tolerance for disappointment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/we-re-raising-children-who-have-little-tolerance-for-disappointment/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [I'm a weirdo and an only child. That comes together to create one-woman shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-seales/i-m-a-weirdo-and-an-only-child-that-comes-together-to-create-one/) [Amanda Seales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-seales/) > [“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/) > [To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will enable him to develop freely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/to-assist-a-child-we-must-provide-him-with-an-environment-which-will/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [Since I was a little child, my nose - I think it's too big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celine-dion/since-i-was-a-little-child-my-nose-i-think-it-s-too-big/) [Celine Dion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celine-dion/) > [if we center our lives on BMWs, RVs, VCRs, PCs and the other acronyms of consumerism, we cannot expect our children to do otherwise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnnetta-b-cole/if-we-center-our-lives-on-bmws-rvs-vcrs-pcs-and-the-other-acronyms-of/) [Johnnetta B. 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