--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We want to see ourselves reflected in our…" description: "\"We want to see ourselves reflected in our heroes. Unfortunately most of us don't look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.\" — Walton Goggins" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/walton-goggins-13029_arnold-schwarzenegge_we-want-to-see-ourselves-reflected-in-ou_440919.png" --- # We want to see ourselves reflected in our heroes… ![“We want to see ourselves reflected in our heroes. Unfortunately most of us don't look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.” quote by Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/walton-goggins-13029_arnold-schwarzenegge_we-want-to-see-ourselves-reflected-in-ou_440919.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/walton-goggins-13029_arnold-schwarzenegge_we-want-to-see-ourselves-reflected-in-ou_440919.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5a/walton-goggins-13029_arnold-schwarzenegge_we-want-to-see-ourselves-reflected-in-ou_440919.png) > “We want to see ourselves reflected in our heroes. Unfortunately most of us don't look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.” [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People seek heroes who mirror themselves, but many feel they don’t match idealized images. **In simple terms:** We want relatable heroes but feel inadequate. Key Takeaway Find role models that reflect diverse experiences. Themes identity heroism self‑esteem Mood hopeful motivational Type inspirational psychological When to use this quote - career mentorship - personal development - media consumption Key Concepts media influence representation Questions to Reflect On - Who inspires you authentically? - How can you become a hero for others? A Different Perspective Idealized heroes can create unrealistic standards. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) ## Related quotes > [I grew up idolizing these men, like Arnold Schwarzenegger. I loved Sly (Stallone). I loved Bruce Willis. These guys embodied everything that action was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katee-sackhoff/i-grew-up-idolizing-these-men-like-arnold-schwarzenegger-i-loved-sly/) [Katee Sackhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katee-sackhoff/) > [When I was little, I met Ronald Reagan. I think I said something to him. He was talking about somebody - he said somebody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-fulcher/when-i-was-little-i-met-ronald-reagan-i-think-i-said-something-to-him-2/) [Rich Fulcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-fulcher/) > [Arnold Schwarzenegger has still not officially bowed out of this race. It looks like he's not gonna run. But I'll tell ya, if Arnold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/arnold-schwarzenegger-has-still-not-officially-bowed-out-of-this-race/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [I was amazed to go Oscar and win it. It was fantastic getting up on the stage there and looking down. I thought, "That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/i-was-amazed-to-go-oscar-and-win-it-it-was-fantastic-getting-up-on/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) > [I'd love to get fat on camera. Wouldn't that be great? I'll tell you what's almost as hard though, getting bulked up, getting that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-irvine/i-d-love-to-get-fat-on-camera-wouldn-t-that-be-great-i-ll-tell-you/) [Jeremy Irvine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-irvine/) > [I like athletic men, but not like Arnold Schwarzenegger, though he's gorgeous. A guy's got to be sexy, optimistic, like to have a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-farrell/i-like-athletic-men-but-not-like-arnold-schwarzenegger-though-he-s/) [Terry Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-farrell/) > [Like my writing, my voice has been something I've worked at. I knew I had a good voice but it was a matter of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-grennan/like-my-writing-my-voice-has-been-something-i-ve-worked-at-i-knew-i/) [Thomas Grennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-grennan/) > [My heroes were people like Arnold Schwarzenegger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-dev/my-heroes-were-people-like-arnold-schwarzenegger/) [Rahul Dev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-dev/) > [See, I hold myself through my own muscle strength. That is why I'm built like Arnold Schwarzenegger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toyah-willcox/see-i-hold-myself-through-my-own-muscle-strength-that-is-why-i-m/) [Toyah Willcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toyah-willcox/) > [“I would visit Hawaii, but I’m not that strong of a swimmer. My strength is all in my heart, and I love like Arnold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-would-visit-hawaii-but-i-m-not-that-strong-of-a-swimmer-my-strength/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [If you wanted to show a mirror to people that says, 'You've been drunk on money,' they're not going to want to see it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baz-luhrmann/if-you-wanted-to-show-a-mirror-to-people-that-says-you-ve-been-drunk/) [Baz Luhrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baz-luhrmann/) > [People do want to see themselves reflected. They'll never believe that Gwen Graham, Philip Levine, Chris King, or Jeff Greene will be a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-gillum/people-do-want-to-see-themselves-reflected-they-ll-never-believe-that/) [Andrew Gillum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-gillum/) > [I recently read that Arnold Schwarzenegger collects Hummers. Now we know why Maria's face is frozen in that puckered position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-wilkerson/i-recently-read-that-arnold-schwarzenegger-collects-hummers-now-we/) [Brad Wilkerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-wilkerson/) > [How would Elvira run the state of California? Well, there isn't much I could do that is worse than what Arnold Schwarzenegger has done.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-peterson/how-would-elvira-run-the-state-of-california-well-there-isn-t-much-i/) [Cassandra Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-peterson/) > [Arnold Schwarzenegger looks like a brown condom full of walnuts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/arnold-schwarzenegger-looks-like-a-brown-condom-full-of-walnuts/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) ## More by Walton Goggins > [ Quentin \[Taranino\] will say, "We've got it, but we're gonna do it one more time. Why?" And then, the entire cast and crew chimes… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/quentin-taranino-will-say-we-ve-got-it-but-we-re-gonna-do-it-one-more/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [If you ever get the opportunity to work with Quentin Tarantino, you had better believe that it will be an experience of extremes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/if-you-ever-get-the-opportunity-to-work-with-quentin-tarantino-you/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [Success in TV-showmaking is just a matter of being authentic and doing the best you can, and you hope that people watch it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/success-in-tv-showmaking-is-just-a-matter-of-being-authentic-and/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [T I was doing Predators, this new movie for FOX simultaneously, and this character that I play in the movie is "Walter Stands," and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/t-i-was-doing-predators-this-new-movie-for-fox-simultaneously-and/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [Unfortunately, when you're the king of the hill, there's really only one way to go, and that's down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/unfortunately-when-you-re-the-king-of-the-hill-there-s-really-only/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [Like everybody, I've had a lot of pain in my life and I'm a work in progress. You must have a true desire to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/like-everybody-i-ve-had-a-lot-of-pain-in-my-life-and-i-m-a-work-in/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [No, but there are people I grew up with from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains that would give any person on 'Justified'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/no-but-there-are-people-i-grew-up-with-from-the-foothills-of-the-blue/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [You can go to a history class with one teacher and want to stick a pencil in your throat, and then go to another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/you-can-go-to-a-history-class-with-one-teacher-and-want-to-stick-a/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [I aimlessly travel, meaning I have no agenda other than to get small in the world, be quiet and observe people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/i-aimlessly-travel-meaning-i-have-no-agenda-other-than-to-get-small/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [I think I've made a career out of making despicable people likable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/i-think-i-ve-made-a-career-out-of-making-despicable-people-likable/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [I find that I have no problem getting a table at a restaurant when I walk in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/i-find-that-i-have-no-problem-getting-a-table-at-a-restaurant-when-i/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [I'm drawn to villains that are three-dimensional and raw and that I can kind of see in my own life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/i-m-drawn-to-villains-that-are-three-dimensional-and-raw-and-that-i/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [But probably my favorite music, believe it or not, is sad music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/but-probably-my-favorite-music-believe-it-or-not-is-sad-music/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [An actor that tells you that they have real choices between material is, for the most part, lying. There are very few people that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/an-actor-that-tells-you-that-they-have-real-choices-between-material/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) > [Sadly, in this country - maybe this is in the history of the world, really - it's the urban experience versus the bucolic experience.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/sadly-in-this-country-maybe-this-is-in-the-history-of-the-world/) [Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) [Explore all 52 Walton Goggins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/) ## More Arnold schwarzenegger quotes > [Arnold Schwarzenegger looks like a brown condom full of walnuts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-james/arnold-schwarzenegger-looks-like-a-brown-condom-full-of-walnuts/) [Clive James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-james/) > [How would Elvira run the state of California? Well, there isn't much I could do that is worse than what Arnold Schwarzenegger has done.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-peterson/how-would-elvira-run-the-state-of-california-well-there-isn-t-much-i/) [Cassandra Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-peterson/) > [My dream would be to play the villain in a James Bond movie, or opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. I like everything exaggerated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/udo-kier/my-dream-would-be-to-play-the-villain-in-a-james-bond-movie-or/) [Udo Kier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/udo-kier/) > [I recently read that Arnold Schwarzenegger collects Hummers. Now we know why Maria's face is frozen in that puckered position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-wilkerson/i-recently-read-that-arnold-schwarzenegger-collects-hummers-now-we/) [Brad Wilkerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-wilkerson/) > [I'd like to talk to Arnold Schwarzenegger, 'cause I live in California and I just want to see that canned, chemical filled body in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-d-like-to-talk-to-arnold-schwarzenegger-cause-i-live-in-california/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he's running for governor. He's got a great slogan - 'Vote for me, or I'll make 'Kindergarten Cop II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-kilborn/arnold-schwarzenegger-announced-he-s-running-for-governor-he-s-got-a/) [Craig Kilborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-kilborn/) > [There's no one in the world close to Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is a phenomenon. He's brilliant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/there-s-no-one-in-the-world-close-to-arnold-schwarzenegger-he-is-a/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [Arnold Schwarzenegger blew away dozens of cops as the Terminator. But I don't hear anybody complaining about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-t/arnold-schwarzenegger-blew-away-dozens-of-cops-as-the-terminator-but/) [Ice T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-t/) > [ Arnold Schwarzenegger made his tax returns public, \[and\] now there's a problem about him stretching the truth. Apparently under occupation he put down 'actor.' ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/arnold-schwarzenegger-made-his-tax-returns-public-and-now-there-s-a/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Their steaks are often good, but the lobsters-with claws the size of Arnold Schwarzenegger's forearms-are as glazed and tough as most of the customers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-s-forbes/their-steaks-are-often-good-but-the-lobsters-with-claws-the-size-of/) Malcolm S Forbes > [Arnold Schwarzenegger is in trouble after tapes surfaced of him saying negative things about other Republicans. Actually the Schwarzenegger tapes surfaced last year, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/arnold-schwarzenegger-is-in-trouble-after-tapes-surfaced-of-him/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [Simon had drawn three pictures. In the top left corner, like a salutation, was a ghost. The middle had a big sketch of Arnold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/simon-had-drawn-three-pictures-in-the-top-left-corner-like-a/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [There's no one in the world close to Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is a phenomenon. He's brilliant. Just because his physique belies that, don't underestimate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/there-s-no-one-in-the-world-close-to-arnold-schwarzenegger-he-is-a-2/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [People here in Los Angeles are disgusted now about a sex scandal involving Arnold Schwarzenegger. Apparently for seven years, he carried on a sexual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-kilborn/people-here-in-los-angeles-are-disgusted-now-about-a-sex-scandal/) [Craig Kilborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-kilborn/) > [What's it like being opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger? For me? Are you kidding? Maybe if I'm lucky, come up to his navel!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-hunt/what-s-it-like-being-opposite-arnold-schwarzenegger-for-me-are-you/) [Linda Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-hunt/) Browse all 142 Arnold schwarzenegger quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We want to see ourselves reflected in our heroes. 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