Quotes on “independence”

A wise parent humors the desire for independent action, so as to become the friend and advisor when his absolute rule shall cease.

I had rather hear my dog bark at a crow, than a man swear he loves me.

Most men claim to desire driven, independent and confident women. Yet when confronted with such a creature reverence often evolves into resent. For just like women, men need to be needed.

Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. [Stanford University commencement speech, 2005]

The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself.

If you truly want to be respected by people you love, you must prove to them that you can survive without them.

Single is an opportunity to live life on your own terms and not apologize.

We need to help people to discover the true meaning of love. Love is generally confused with dependence. Those of us who have grown in true love know that we can love only in proportion to our capacity for independence.

People have only as much liberty as they have the intelligence to want and the courage to take.