e. e. cummings Quote

"To be nobody but yourself -- in a world which is doing it's best, night and day, to make you like everybody else -- means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight, and never stop fighting."

by:	e. e. cummings (1894-1962) American poet, painter, essayist, author, and playwright
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Categories:	Coercion, Collectivism, Commitment, Conformity, Conscience, Dissent, Diversity, Education, Experimentation, Free Thought, Honor, Independence, Individualist, Leadership, Perseverance, Self-Determination, Unification, Vigilance
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Absolutely -- 10 stars!!  -- E Archer, NYC      6
The "world" is not doing its best to make you like everybody else... people are doing so... people who want to control you... people like the heads of most organized religions! Our education system is there to help us become all that we can be, to discover what is within us that makes us unique... if you are but willing to open your mind and heart to the possibilities.  -- Anonymous, Reston, VA US      4 9
if you are but willing to open your mind and heart to the possibilities and limitations of being a slave, Anon from R is correct. The world would have everyone the same in bowing down to the establishment of religion's church (the atheist's government), where compelled compliance, license, larceny with impunity, victimless crimes, etc. are all the doctrines of a freedom by the borg.  -- Mike, Norwalk      9
So true! Just try to live your life your own way without all the 'advice' from other people who think they know better than you is difficult enough :)  -- Cynthia, The Netherlands      9
In every society their will be a concept called "normative" you know that big area under the bell shaped curve. If the "self" has trouble with that their ain't much we can do about it. We all try to conform to group dyamics. When in Rome and all of that rot. But this tendency of life and society is not intentional or devious or evil. It is simply the way things are. A person who feels that "they" are out to change us is just a sick paranoid individual. Many of those fighting to be themselves also want to change us to be just like them. Let us live and let live, eh!  -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas      3 3
I believe this quote is taken out of context and does not refer to being taught but refers to the establishment and being cloned by the government and church. Self is the most important understanding when realizing a state of peace and spiritual grace. Self is the gateway to eternity through which you become one with the Universe. Self can pierce the impenetrable; it is the foundation of Universal grace.  -- RobertSRQ      2
-- warren, olathe
This is one of my all-time favorite quotes. This quote deserves to be written in the sky in every human language for all peoples to read 24/7. This quote deserves the number of stars that are in a clear night sky.  -- Me Again      7
I take a quote like that to heart. I'm a patriot and a rebel for the greater good!  -- darknessawaits, fromwhichimayneverreturn      6
Best of luck trying to be "yourself". If you don't think we've become a police state...try stepping off the prescribed path by one foot and see what happens. For example try taking yourself off of the electrical grid and supplying your own power...good luck with that one.. And because there is the ever present threat of violence from your own government, you will "comply".... Free Nation? Yeah, uh huh...sure.  -- J Carlton, Calgary      6
Interesting...I thought it was capitalism, television, and corporate greed that was turning us into consumer zombies, jumping on the bandwagon with every new Idol contest and shiny Apple ipod product that everyone has to have; the constant message that you should be focused on yourself, keeping up with the Jones' and all that. Isn't it religion that tries to get us to think about others? In a world where it seems everyone points fingers at what they don't agree with, maybe we should all read this quote again.  -- Migs, TX      3
If people really care about you they accept you the way you are they'll only try to change you to suit their needs if they're selfish and dont actually care for you. I can personally say this from experience.Never change unless you know you're completely wrong  -- Chasing Ice, Karachi. PK      3 1
What an unholy premium it is that is placed on conformity. The volume of the utter wastage of human potential that occurs on the altar of it is incalculable.  -- Patrick Henry, Red Hill      6
-- DENNIS KOLB, WARRENTON
-- AL, DC
-- jim k, Austin
Right on target. We are being herded by central planners and central bankers. "Woe betide us". B  -- bruski, naples FL Naples x      4
fraud...he can live like a hermit  -- Don, Reno      1
-- jim k, Austin
-- Ronw13, ID
Speaking as one who could never understand the desire to control people, I have faced this social pressure from my youth onwards.  I have mostly wanted to be left alone to seek to understand the world organically, not to be herded like cattle into programmed settings I am compelled to follow.  Those that have never tried, don't know the hidden hand.  Those that have are told to pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.  Indeed, the truth shall make one free.  -- E Archer, NYC      1

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