I am an ordinary person who has been blessed with extraordinary opportunities and experiences.
Sonia SotomayorRead
I have spent my years since Princeton, while at law school and in my various professional jobs, not feeling completely a part of the worlds I inhabit. I am always looking over my shoulder wondering if I measure up.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects a persistent feeling of inadequacy and longing for belonging in different environments.
Sonia Sotomayor expresses her feelings of alienation and self-doubt throughout her educational and professional journey. Despite her accomplishments, she grapples with the uncertainty of whether she fits into the worlds she navigates, highlighting a common struggle many face in their pursuit of success and acceptance.
Themes
Self-DoubtBelongingSuccessAlienationIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to highlight the importance of self-acceptance.
More from Sonia Sotomayor
All quotes →This wealth of experiences, personal and professional, have helped me appreciate the variety of perspectives that present themselves in every case that I hear.
Sonia SotomayorRead
I was fifteen years old when I understood how it is that things break down: people can't imagine someone else's point of view.
Sonia SotomayorRead
The truth is that since childhood I had cultivated an existential independence. It came from perceiving the adults around me as unreliable, and without it I felt I wouldn't have survived. I cared deeply for everyone in my family, but in the end I depended on myself.
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As you discover what strength you can draw from your community in this world from which it stands apart, look outward as well as inward. Build bridges instead of walls.
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There are uses to adversity, and they don't reveal themselves until tested. Whether it's serious illness, financial hardship, or the simple constraint of parents who speak limited English, difficulty can tap unexpected strengths.
Sonia SotomayorRead
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