--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am a verb. I am that I amNouns exist…" description: "\"I am a verb. I am that I amNouns exist because there is a created universe and physical reality, but if the universe is only a mass of nouns, it is dea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/baf/william-p-young-3038_alive_i-am-a-verb-i-am-that-i-amnouns-exist-be_543501.jpg" --- # I am a verb. I am that I amNouns exist because there is a… ![“I am a verb. I am that I amNouns exist because there is a created universe and physical reality, but if the universe is only a mass of nouns, it is dead. Unless 'I am', there are no verbs, and verbs are what makes the universe alive” quote by William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/baf/william-p-young-3038_alive_i-am-a-verb-i-am-that-i-amnouns-exist-be_543501.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/baf/william-p-young-3038_alive_i-am-a-verb-i-am-that-i-amnouns-exist-be_543501.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/baf/william-p-young-3038_alive_i-am-a-verb-i-am-that-i-amnouns-exist-be_543501.jpg) > “I am a verb. I am that I amNouns exist because there is a created universe and physical reality, but if the universe is only a mass of nouns, it is dead. Unless 'I am', there are no verbs, and verbs are what makes the universe alive” [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that existence is defined by action (verbs) rather than static being (nouns); without self‑assertion, reality lacks vitality. **In simple terms:** Action gives life to reality. Key Takeaway Embrace agency and self‑definition. Themes existence agency language reality philosophy Mood reflective inspired Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - creative projects - leadership decisions - spiritual practice Key Concepts ontology semantics existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How does self‑identification shape your experience? - What verbs can you embody today? A Different Perspective If one only labels without acting, the world feels inert. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) ## Related quotes > [Mother is a verb, not a noun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shonda-rhimes/mother-is-a-verb-not-a-noun/) [Shonda Rhimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shonda-rhimes/) > [Most cities are nouns. New York's a verb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/most-cities-are-nouns-new-york-s-a-verb/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [You never push a noun against a verb without trying to blow up something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-never-push-a-noun-against-a-verb-without-trying-to-blow-up/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To me, Faith is not just a noun but also a verb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/to-me-faith-is-not-just-a-noun-but-also-a-verb/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [The noun of self becomes a verb. This flashpoint of creation in the present moment is where work and play merge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-nachmanovitch/the-noun-of-self-becomes-a-verb-this-flashpoint-of-creation-in-the/) [Stephen Nachmanovitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-nachmanovitch/) > [Whatever the thing you wish to say, there is but one word to express it, but one verb to give it movement, but one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustave-flaubert/whatever-the-thing-you-wish-to-say-there-is-but-one-word-to-express/) [Gustave Flaubert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustave-flaubert/) > [Art is a Verb, not a Noun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-west-basden/art-is-a-verb-not-a-noun/) Ernest West Basden > [A painting to me is primarily a verb, not a noun, an event first and only secondarily an image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-de-kooning/a-painting-to-me-is-primarily-a-verb-not-a-noun-an-event-first-and/) [Elaine de Kooning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-de-kooning/) > [One of the glories of English simplicity is the possibility of using the same word as noun and verb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-sapir/one-of-the-glories-of-english-simplicity-is-the-possibility-of-using/) [Edward Sapir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-sapir/) > [Love is a verb, not a noun. It is active. Love is not just feelings of passion and romance. It is behavior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-forward/love-is-a-verb-not-a-noun-it-is-active-love-is-not-just-feelings-of/) [Susan Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-forward/) > [parenting isn't a noun but a verb--an ongoing process instead of an accomplishment. And that no matter how many years you put into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/parenting-isn-t-a-noun-but-a-verb-an-ongoing-process-instead-of-an/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Theater used to be a verb; it used to be an act. But nowadays it is just a noun. It is a place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/theater-used-to-be-a-verb-it-used-to-be-an-act-but-nowadays-it-is/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [Happiness is not a noun or a verb. It's a conjunction. Connective tissue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-weiner/happiness-is-not-a-noun-or-a-verb-it-s-a-conjunction-connective-tissue/) [Eric Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-weiner/) > [I live on Earth at present, and I don’t know what I am. I know that I am not a category. I am not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/i-live-on-earth-at-present-and-i-don-t-know-what-i-am-i-know-that-i/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [Better to think of writing, of what one does, as an activity, rather than an identity to keep the calling a verb rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-moore/better-to-think-of-writing-of-what-one-does-as-an-activity-rather/) [Lorrie Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-moore/) ## More by William P. Young > [I don't want my kids growing up with the image of God that I had -- Plato's white grandfatherly god -- because that god…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/i-don-t-want-my-kids-growing-up-with-the-image-of-god-that-i-had/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Because you continue to inhabit and believe your metaphors, you cannot see what is true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/because-you-continue-to-inhabit-and-believe-your-metaphors-you-cannot/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [“Religion must use law to empower itself and control the people who they need in order to survive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/religion-must-use-law-to-empower-itself-and-control-the-people-who/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Once you have hierarchy you need rules to protect and administer it, and then you need law and the enforcement of the rules, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/once-you-have-hierarchy-you-need-rules-to-protect-and-administer-it/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [“(Jesus speaking) "An awful lot of what is done in my name has nothing to do with me and is often, even if unintentional,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/jesus-speaking-an-awful-lot-of-what-is-done-in-my-name-has-nothing-to/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [This life is only the anteroom of a greater reality to come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/this-life-is-only-the-anteroom-of-a-greater-reality-to-come/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [I often find that getting head issues out of the way first makes the heart stuff easier to work on later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/i-often-find-that-getting-head-issues-out-of-the-way-first-makes-the/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [For me, everything is about Jesus and Father and the Holy Spirit, and relationships, and life is an adventure of faith lived one day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/for-me-everything-is-about-jesus-and-father-and-the-holy-spirit-and/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Relationships are never about power, and one way to avoid the will to hold power over another is to chose to limit to onself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/relationships-are-never-about-power-and-one-way-to-avoid-the-will-to/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [It is my desire and intent to trust the multi-layered good purposes of God than in what humans fabricate out of their need and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/it-is-my-desire-and-intent-to-trust-the-multi-layered-good-purposes/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Jesus was always challenging the dogma of religion. So, you know, it's not like I'm out there by myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/jesus-was-always-challenging-the-dogma-of-religion-so-you-know-it-s/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [If anything matters, then everything matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/if-anything-matters-then-everything-matters/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [I don't just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/i-don-t-just-want-a-piece-of-you-and-a-piece-of-your-life-even-if-you/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/trust-is-the-fruit-of-a-relationship-in-which-you-know-you-are-loved/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) > [Something in the heart of most human beings simply cannot abide pain inflicted on the innocent, especially children. Even broken men serving in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-p-young/something-in-the-heart-of-most-human-beings-simply-cannot-abide-pain/) [William P. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) [Explore all 138 William P. Young quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-p-young/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) Adam Ant > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am a verb. I am that I amNouns exist because there is a created universe and physical reality, but if the universe is only a mass of nouns, it is dead. Unless 'I am', there are no verbs, and verbs are what makes the universe alive", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William P. 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