--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I guess I've always written more from the…" description: "\"I guess I've always written more from the opposite perspective, that kind of existentialist perspective which argues that existence precedes essence. A..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/zadie-smith-584_action_i-guess-i-ve-always-written-more-from-th_2198379.png" --- # I guess I've always written more from the opposite… ![“I guess I've always written more from the opposite perspective, that kind of existentialist perspective which argues that existence precedes essence. And there really isn't anything essential in there - you're the product of your actions, which can always change. And they retrospectively make you…” quote by Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/zadie-smith-584_action_i-guess-i-ve-always-written-more-from-th_2198379.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/zadie-smith-584_action_i-guess-i-ve-always-written-more-from-th_2198379.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b6/zadie-smith-584_action_i-guess-i-ve-always-written-more-from-th_2198379.png) > “I guess I've always written more from the opposite perspective, that kind of existentialist perspective which argues that existence precedes essence. And there really isn't anything essential in there - you're the product of your actions, which can always change. And they retrospectively make you one way or another.” [Zadie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zadie-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Existence precedes essence; identity is shaped by actions and can change over time. **In simple terms:** You are defined by what you do, not by any fixed nature. Key Takeaway Embrace change and act intentionally. Themes existentialism identity agency Mood reflective introspective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career decisions - relationships - creative projects - personal crises Key Concepts self‑construction free will personal growth Questions to Reflect On - How do your choices reflect who you want to become? - Can you redefine yourself after a setback? A Different Perspective Actions can be constrained by external expectations, limiting freedom. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Arguing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguing/) [Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence/) [Essentials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essentials/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Existence Precedes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence-precedes-729753/) [Existence Precedes Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence-precedes-essence-213045/) [Existentialist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existentialist/) [Existentialist Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existentialist-perspective-4819032/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [One way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-way/) [Opposite Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposite-perspective-4819033/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) [Perspective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perspective/) [Products](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/products/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written/) ## Related quotes > [What is meant here by saying that existence precedes essence? 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