--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One’s philosophy is not best expressed in…" description: "\"“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/tal-ben-shahar-31677_choices_one-s-philosophy-is-not-best-expressed-i_3069559.jpg" --- # One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is… ![“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And, the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. —Eleanor Roosevelt” quote by Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/tal-ben-shahar-31677_choices_one-s-philosophy-is-not-best-expressed-i_3069559.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/tal-ben-shahar-31677_choices_one-s-philosophy-is-not-best-expressed-i_3069559.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c12/tal-ben-shahar-31677_choices_one-s-philosophy-is-not-best-expressed-i_3069559.jpg) > ““One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And, the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. —Eleanor Roosevelt”” [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our true philosophy shows through actions and decisions, shaping both our lives and selves continuously until death. **In simple terms:** Philosophy is shown by choices, not words. Key Takeaway Own your choices. Themes responsibility self‑development choice philosophy Mood reflective determined Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career decisions - personal relationships - daily habits - long‑term planning Key Concepts agency identity consequence Questions to Reflect On - How do your daily decisions reflect your core values? - What limits your ability to choose freely? A Different Perspective Choices may be constrained by circumstances, limiting true autonomy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Choices Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices-make/) [Expressed Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expressed-choices-4108954/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Long run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-run/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Responsibility Eleanor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility-eleanor-3875366/) ## Related quotes > [“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. 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Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-greenwood/) > [We, as individuals, are defined by the choices we make. Some of our decisions can have very significant consequences and totally change the courses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cage/we-as-individuals-are-defined-by-the-choices-we-make-some-of-our/) [David Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cage/) > [“We as humans are the patterns of life. We are the roads we travel. Our lives make up the insignificance of a moment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-duke/we-as-humans-are-the-patterns-of-life-we-are-the-roads-we-travel-our/) [Megan Duke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-duke/) > [If the idea of having to change ourselves makes us uncomfortable, we can remain as we are. We can choose rest over labour, entertainment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/if-the-idea-of-having-to-change-ourselves-makes-us-uncomfortable-we/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) [Alison James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-james/) ## More by Tal Ben-Shahar > [We can only learn to deal with failure by actually experiencing failure, by living through it. The earlier we face difficulties and drawbacks, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/we-can-only-learn-to-deal-with-failure-by-actually-experiencing/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [Failure is an inescapable part of life and a critically important part of any successful life. We learn to walk by falling, to talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/failure-is-an-inescapable-part-of-life-and-a-critically-important/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [“A human being, like a business, makes profits and suffers losses. For a human being, however, the ultimate currency is not money, nor is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/a-human-being-like-a-business-makes-profits-and-suffers-losses-for-a/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [Attaining lasting happiness requires that we enjoy the journey on our way toward a destination we deem valuable. Happiness is not about making it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/attaining-lasting-happiness-requires-that-we-enjoy-the-journey-on-our/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [“Life is too short to be in a hurry." If we are always on the go, we are reacting to the exigencies of day-to-day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/life-is-too-short-to-be-in-a-hurry-if-we-are-always-on-the-go-we-are/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [Learn to fail or fail to learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/learn-to-fail-or-fail-to-learn/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [Our behavior toward others is often a reflection of our treatment of ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/our-behavior-toward-others-is-often-a-reflection-of-our-treatment-of/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [“The pain associated with the fear of failure is often stronger than the pain of the failure itself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/the-pain-associated-with-the-fear-of-failure-is-often-stronger-than/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [Happiness is the overall experience of pleasure and meaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/happiness-is-the-overall-experience-of-pleasure-and-meaning/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [“the best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/the-best-moments-usually-occur-when-a-person-s-body-or-mind-is-2/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [“Ralph Waldo Emerson explains, "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/ralph-waldo-emerson-explains-it-is-one-of-the-most-beautiful/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [Perfectionism and optimalism are not distinct ways of being, an either-or choice, but rather they coexist in each person. And while we can move…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/perfectionism-and-optimalism-are-not-distinct-ways-of-being-an-either/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [Incremental change is better than ambitious failure. . . .Success feeds on itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/incremental-change-is-better-than-ambitious-failure-success-feeds-on/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [When you appreciate the good, the good appreciates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/when-you-appreciate-the-good-the-good-appreciates/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) > [There are some people who always feel happy. They're called psychopaths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tal-ben-shahar/there-are-some-people-who-always-feel-happy-they-re-called-psychopaths/) [Tal Ben-Shahar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) [Explore all 16 Tal Ben-Shahar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tal-ben-shahar/) ## More Choices quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. 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I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [I don't know that any woman could ever not think about that at some point - even making the choice not to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-watts/i-don-t-know-that-any-woman-could-ever-not-think-about-that-at-some/) [Naomi Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-watts/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Browse all 11,466 Choices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. 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