--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I did not know that my entire…" description: "\"I did not know that my entire personality, my entire being, could be discarded as the byproduct of my anatomy. What if I really am just someone with a ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b5/veronica-roth-66_anatomy_i-did-not-know-that-my-entire-personalit_834215.jpg" --- # I did not know that my entire personality, my entire… ![“I did not know that my entire personality, my entire being, could be discarded as the byproduct of my anatomy. What if I really am just someone with a large prefrontal cortex...and nothing more?” quote by Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b5/veronica-roth-66_anatomy_i-did-not-know-that-my-entire-personalit_834215.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b5/veronica-roth-66_anatomy_i-did-not-know-that-my-entire-personalit_834215.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b5/veronica-roth-66_anatomy_i-did-not-know-that-my-entire-personalit_834215.jpg) > “I did not know that my entire personality, my entire being, could be discarded as the byproduct of my anatomy. What if I really am just someone with a large prefrontal cortex...and nothing more?” [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He questions whether identity is shaped by brain structure rather than free will. **In simple terms:** Identity may be brain‑based. Key Takeaway Explore self beyond biology. Themes identity biology philosophy self‑concept Mood thoughtful introspective Type philosophical questioning When to use this quote - therapy sessions - career choices - relationship decisions - self‑reflection Key Concepts neuroscience existentialism personality Questions to Reflect On - Do you think free will exists? - How much does biology define you? A Different Perspective Biology may not fully explain personality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anatomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anatomy/) [Discarded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discarded/) [Entire Personality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/entire-personality-418986/) [Large Prefrontal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/large-prefrontal-586381/) [Personality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personality/) [Personality Entire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personality-entire-586380/) [Prefrontal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prefrontal-570507/) [Prefrontal Cortex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prefrontal-cortex-570506/) [What if](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/what-if/) ## Related quotes > [“Certainly the prefrontal cortex is an important thing; I’m as proud of mine as the next guy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-wright/certainly-the-prefrontal-cortex-is-an-important-thing-i-m-as-proud-of/) [Robert Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-wright/) > [“Decision making in the prefrontal cortex, which is a high-level brain process, affects the lower-level sensory processes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-korb/decision-making-in-the-prefrontal-cortex-which-is-a-high-level-brain/) [Alex Korb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-korb/) > [If you had the perception that you are very stressed out then your grey matter was fully 20 per cent smaller in volume than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigid-schulte/if-you-had-the-perception-that-you-are-very-stressed-out-then-your/) [Brigid Schulte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigid-schulte/) > [How do we regulate our emotions? The answer is surprisingly simple: by thinking about them. The prefrontal cortex allows each of us to contemplate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/how-do-we-regulate-our-emotions-the-answer-is-surprisingly-simple-by/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [“The prefrontal cortex is a complex, fragile region of the brain. In its healthy state, it directs human impulses toward rational choices and away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-powers/the-prefrontal-cortex-is-a-complex-fragile-region-of-the-brain-in-its-2/) [Ron Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-powers/) > [The relationship between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala fundamentally changes with meditation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-yong-kim/the-relationship-between-the-prefrontal-cortex-and-the-amygdala/) [Jim Yong Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-yong-kim/) > [“When men look at pictures of naked women, their startle response to loud noises diminishes. It seems that the dopamine surge mutes the prefrontal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-men-look-at-pictures-of-naked-women-their-startle-response-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The part of the brain most affected by early stress is the prefrontal cortex, which is critical in self-regulatory activities of all kinds, both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tough/the-part-of-the-brain-most-affected-by-early-stress-is-the-prefrontal/) [Paul Tough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tough/) > [“The prefrontal cortex is a complex, fragile region of the brain. In its healthy state, it directs human impulses toward rational choices and away…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-powers/the-prefrontal-cortex-is-a-complex-fragile-region-of-the-brain-in-its/) [Ron Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-powers/) > [“very last section of the brain to mature, during the teenage years and early twenties, is the prefrontal cortex, which controls judgment, impulse control,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ockwell-smith/very-last-section-of-the-brain-to-mature-during-the-teenage-years-and/) [Sarah Ockwell-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ockwell-smith/) > [“With the prefrontal cortex down-regulated, most impulse control mechanisms go offline too. For people who aren't used to this combination, the results can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/with-the-prefrontal-cortex-down-regulated-most-impulse-control/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [“Neuroscientists have determined the brain’s dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is associated with decision making and cost-benefit assessments. If MRI brain scans had been performed on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-morgan-cron/neuroscientists-have-determined-the-brain-s-dorsolateral-prefrontal/) [Ian Morgan Cron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-morgan-cron/) > [My entire personality changes when I'm in L.A.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-johnson/my-entire-personality-changes-when-i-m-in-l-a/) [Casey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-johnson/) > [Your mental attitude gives your entire personality a drawing power that attracts the circumstances, things and people you think about most!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-mental-attitude-gives-your-entire-personality-a-drawing-power/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Our entire personality, our energy level, and how we cope is hormonal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-tsing-loh/our-entire-personality-our-energy-level-and-how-we-cope-is-hormonal/) [Sandra Tsing Loh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-tsing-loh/) ## More by Veronica Roth > [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“I was beginning to feel that I had finally found a place to stay, a place that was not so unstable or corrupt or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-was-beginning-to-feel-that-i-had-finally-found-a-place-to-stay-a/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“He acts so tough that he’s probably afraid of marshmallows and really bright sunrises or something. Overcompensating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/he-acts-so-tough-that-he-s-probably-afraid-of-marshmallows-and-really/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [And is it selfish of me to crave victory, or is it brave?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-is-it-selfish-of-me-to-crave-victory-or-is-it-brave/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [You always look like someone's sucked the life right out of you when something fascinates you. -Tris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-always-look-like-someone-s-sucked-the-life-right-out-of-you-when/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“We can be mended. We mend each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/we-can-be-mended-we-mend-each-other/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Don’t worry about me handling the pain," I say. "I’ve had a lot of practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/don-t-worry-about-me-handling-the-pain-i-say-i-ve-had-a-lot-of/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Soon I will honor my parents by dying as they died. and if all they believed about death was true, soon I will join…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/soon-i-will-honor-my-parents-by-dying-as-they-died-and-if-all-they/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Mas lembre-se, já agora, que por vezes as pessoas que oprimimos tornam-se mais poderosas do que nós gostaríamos.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/mas-lembre-se-j-agora-que-por-vezes-as-pessoas-que-oprimimos-tornam/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“am aware of how little space there is between us—six inches at most. That space feels charged with electricity. I feel like it should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/am-aware-of-how-little-space-there-is-between-us-six-inches-at-most/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Oh, good,” I say, a sour taste in my mouth. “Heroism is what I was focused on. Not, you know, trying not to die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/oh-good-i-say-a-sour-taste-in-my-mouth-heroism-is-what-i-was-focused/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Caleb frowns at him. "How old are you, anyway?" "Eighteen." "And you don't think you're too old to be with my little sister?" Tobias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/caleb-frowns-at-him-how-old-are-you-anyway-eighteen-and-you-don-t/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [What do you think they're going to do to us when they find us guilty?" she says after a few minutes of silence have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/what-do-you-think-they-re-going-to-do-to-us-when-they-find-us-guilty/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“La paz está restringida, eso es libertad”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/la-paz-est-restringida-eso-es-libertad/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [In some parts of the ancient world, the hawk symbolized the sun. Back when I got this, I figured if I always had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/in-some-parts-of-the-ancient-world-the-hawk-symbolized-the-sun-back/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) [Explore all 1,589 Veronica Roth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## More Anatomy quotes > [Anatomy is destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/anatomy-is-destiny/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [Descriptive anatomy is to physiology what geography is to history, and just as it is not enough to know the typography of a country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-bernard/descriptive-anatomy-is-to-physiology-what-geography-is-to-history-and/) [Claude Bernard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-bernard/) > [Dark influences from the American past congregate among us still. If we are a democracy, what are we to make of the palpable elements…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-bloom/dark-influences-from-the-american-past-congregate-among-us-still-if/) [Harold Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-bloom/) > [“I feel your body, your sick and scared body. And I feel how it must be different from how it was, and how it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-montross/i-feel-your-body-your-sick-and-scared-body-and-i-feel-how-it-must-be/) [Christine Montross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-montross/) > [“The pen is an extension of my anatomy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-pen-is-an-extension-of-my-anatomy/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [I profess to learn and to teach anatomy not from books but from dissections, not from the tenets of Philosophers but from the fabric…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-harvey/i-profess-to-learn-and-to-teach-anatomy-not-from-books-but-from/) [William Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-harvey/) > [Bird taxonomy is a difficult field because of the severe anatomical constraints imposed by flight. There are only so many ways to design a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-diamond/bird-taxonomy-is-a-difficult-field-because-of-the-severe-anatomical/) [Jared Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-diamond/) > [We all think we’re going to be great and we feel a little bit robbed when our expectations aren’t met. But sometimes our expectations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/we-all-think-we-re-going-to-be-great-and-we-feel-a-little-bit-robbed/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [Ultimately, the problem is that sex is perceived as a personal, intimate thing, not in the realm of science. But that's not true. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/ultimately-the-problem-is-that-sex-is-perceived-as-a-personal/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) > [Grammar is to a writer what anatomy is to a sculptor, or the scales to a musician. You may loathe it, it may bore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-j-chute/grammar-is-to-a-writer-what-anatomy-is-to-a-sculptor-or-the-scales-to/) [B. J. Chute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-j-chute/) > [The whole aim of comparative anatomy is to discover what structures are homologous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libbie-hyman/the-whole-aim-of-comparative-anatomy-is-to-discover-what-structures/) [Libbie Hyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libbie-hyman/) > [I am sincerely trying now to create a dance technique based entirely upon corrective exercises, created with a knowledge of human anatomy; a technique…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-horton/i-am-sincerely-trying-now-to-create-a-dance-technique-based-entirely/) [Lester Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-horton/) > [My philosophy is this: Do not tamper with the anatomy of a woman's body; do not camouflage it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oleg-cassini/my-philosophy-is-this-do-not-tamper-with-the-anatomy-of-a-woman-s/) [Oleg Cassini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oleg-cassini/) > [My fundamental premise about the brain is that its workings - what we sometimes call "mind" - are a consequence of its anatomy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/my-fundamental-premise-about-the-brain-is-that-its-workings-what-we-2/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [In my experience of these things, parties which shout about dirty tricks and the like tend to do so because they fear a direct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mandelson/in-my-experience-of-these-things-parties-which-shout-about-dirty/) [Peter Mandelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mandelson/) [Browse all 273 Anatomy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anatomy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I did not know that my entire personality, my entire being, could be discarded as the byproduct of my anatomy. 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