If we don’t want to define ourselves by things as superficial as our appearances, we’re stuck with the revolting alternative of being judged by our actions.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that if we want to go beyond superficial judgments based on appearances, we must be prepared to be evaluated based on our actions.
Ellen Degeneres' quote highlights the tension between superficial judgments based on physical appearance and deeper evaluations based on one's actions. By rejecting the surface-level definitions of ourselves, we confront the more profound and often uncomfortable reality that our true worth and identity are ultimately determined by how we choose to behave and interact with others. This quote invites reflection on the importance of actions in shaping our character and the perceptions others have of us.
In practice
This quote can be used during a motivational speech about self-identity.
Now,I'm no scientist,but I know what endorphins are. They're tiny little magical elves that swim through your blood stream and tell funny jokes to each other. When they reach your brain,you hear what they're saying and that boosts your health and happiness. "Knock Knock... Who's There?.. Little endorphin... Little endorphin who?... Little Endorphin Annie." And then the endorphins laugh and then you laugh. See? Its Science.
Find out who you are and be that person. That's what your soul was put on this Earth to be. Find that truth, live that truth and everything else will come.
When we were growing up our parents somehow made it clear that being famous was good. And I mistakenly thought that if I was famous then everyone would love me.
I personally chose to go vegan because I educated myself on factory farming and cruelty to animals, and I suddenly realized that what was on my plate were living things, with feelings. And I just couldn't disconnect myself from it any longer. I read books like 'Diet for a New America' and saw documentaries like 'Earthlings' and 'Meet your Meat,' and it became an easy choice for me.
If you want to test cosmetics, why do it on some poor animal who hasn't done anything? They should use prisoners who have been convicted of murder or rape instead. So, rather than seeing if perfume irritates a bunny rabbit's eyes, they should throw it in Charles Manson's eyes and ask him if it hurts.
I think beauty comes from actually knowing who you are. That's real beauty to me.
When the gods wish to punish us they answer our prayers.
We talked death with burned-up intensity, both of us drawn to it like moths to an electric light bulb. Sucking on it!
This evolution towards a real responsibility for others is sometimes blocked by fear. It is easier to stay on the level of a pleasant way of life in which we keep our freedom and our distance. But that means that we stop growing and shut ourselves up in our own small concerns and pleasures.
Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.
When explorers first encountered my people, they called us heathens, sun worshippers. They didn't understand that the sun is a relative and illuminates our path on this earth.
Te Occidere Possunt Sed Te Edere Non Possunt Nefas Est" ("They can kill you, but the legalities of eating you are quite a bit dicier").
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