Discover a collection of empowering “You Are Worthy” quotes designed to boost self-confidence and ignite personal empowerment. These inspiring words remind us that our true worth is an internal validation, a truth echoed by figures like Picabo Street and Maya Angelou. For affirmations and gifts that celebrate your inner strength, explore inktasticmerch.com.
Empowering You Are Worthy Quotes
“Nobody needs to prove to anybody what they’re worthy of, just the person that they look at in the mirror. That’s the only person you need to answer to.”
Picabo Street
This quote gently reminds us that our ultimate validation comes from within. The mirror reflects the only judge whose opinion truly matters, encouraging a shift from external seeking to internal acceptance.
“We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that deep inside us something is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”
e. e. cummings
This profound statement highlights how external recognition can sometimes be the catalyst for recognizing our own intrinsic worth. It invites us to be open to the possibility that someone else’s belief in us can awaken our own, leading to a richer, more adventurous inner life.
“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.”
Norman Vincent Peale
This calls for a balanced self-belief, one that is both humble and confident. It suggests that a quiet, inner assurance in our capabilities is the bedrock upon which happiness and success are built.
“I must undertake to love myself and to respect myself as though my very life depends upon self love and self respect.”
Maya Angelou
This is a powerful call to action, framing self-love not as a luxury but a necessity for survival. It urges us to treat ourselves with the same care and reverence we would offer to something as vital as life itself.
“Convince yourself every day that you are worthy of a good life.”
Germany Kent
This affirmation is a daily practice of internal alignment. It suggests that consciously reinforcing our worthiness is a key step in opening ourselves to the good things life has to offer.
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
Buddha
This teaching from the Buddha is a radical invitation to extend the same compassion we offer to others, inward. It dismantles the notion that our own needs for love and affection are secondary, asserting their universal validity.
“Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.”
Rumi
Rumi’s words inspire us to move beyond comparison and external narratives. They encourage us to embrace our unique journey, recognizing that our individual story holds its own profound significance and beauty.
“You’re imperfect, and you’re wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.”
Brené Brown
This quote offers deep solace by acknowledging our inherent human imperfections and the reality of struggle. It powerfully asserts that these very human experiences do not diminish our fundamental worthiness of love and connection.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson directs our attention inward, emphasizing the immense power and significance of our inner world. It suggests that our true essence and potential far outweigh past circumstances or future anxieties.
“Strong people have a strong sense of self-worth and self-awareness; they don’t need the approval of others.”
Roy T. Bennett
This highlights the beautiful synergy between self-worth and self-awareness. It points to an inner strength that liberates us from the need for external validation, fostering a quiet independence.
“With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world.”
Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama connects individual inner growth to a broader impact. This suggests that by cultivating our own sense of worth and capability, we inherently contribute to a more positive collective reality.
“Worthy now. Not if. Not when. We are worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is.”
Brené Brown
This powerful affirmation cuts through conditional self-acceptance. It anchors our worthiness in the present moment, emphasizing that it is an inherent quality, not something to be earned or achieved.
“We are the brightest star of our sky though we often fail to notice our own brilliance in the presence of others’ light.”
E.L. Blade
This poetic metaphor encourages us to recognize our unique radiance. It gently points out how we can sometimes dim our own light by focusing too much on others, urging us to acknowledge our own inherent brilliance.
“Your problem is you are too busy holding onto your unworthiness.”
Ram Dass
Ram Dass offers a direct, compassionate insight into a common struggle. This perspective suggests that actively clinging to feelings of unworthiness is a primary obstacle to experiencing our true value.
“Know your worth, hold your own power, be you.”
Morgan Harper Nichols
This is a concise, empowering directive. It calls for an embrace of our authentic selves, recognizing that our worth is intrinsically tied to our unique being, and that power stems from this self-acceptance.
“When teachers doubt your potential, show them how wrong they truly are.”
Ace Antonio Hall
This quote is a powerful call to internal conviction, especially when faced with external doubt. It encourages us to use others’ skepticism not as a weapon against ourselves, but as fuel to prove our own capabilities.
“Why settle for a lesser vision? When you are destined for greatness!”
Lailah Gifty Akita
This energetic question challenges complacency and invites us to aim higher. It reframes our potential not as a possibility but as a destiny, urging us to align our vision with our inherent greatness.
“Once you know your worth, no one can make you feel worthless.”
Rashida Rowe
This statement offers a profound truth about the protective shield of self-knowledge. It suggests that a deeply rooted understanding of our own value makes us impervious to external judgments that seek to diminish us.
“Why should we worry about what others think of us, do we have more confidence in their opinions than we do our own?”
Brigham Young
This thought-provoking question challenges the habit of seeking external validation. It prompts us to examine where our trust truly lies – in our own inner knowing or in the fleeting opinions of others.
“Courage… is not a selfish attribute: it is only possible if you are pursuing a wider and more worthy goal.”
Ted Malloch
Malloch reframes courage as an outward-facing virtue, linked to purpose. This perspective suggests that true bravery arises not from self-interest, but from a commitment to something larger than oneself.
“If you don’t know your own value, somebody will tell you your value, and it’ll be less than you’re worth.”
Bernard Hopkins
This stark warning emphasizes the danger of an undefined sense of self-worth. It implies that if we don’t claim our own value, others will assign it, often at a diminished rate.
“He who understands you is greater kin to you than your own brother. For even your own kindred neither understand you nor know your true worth.”
Khalil Gibran
Gibran beautifully illustrates the profound connection of true understanding. This quote suggests that genuine empathy and recognition of our deepest selves can forge bonds stronger than blood, illuminating our hidden value.
“Don’t try to prove anything about yourself to anyone. It isn’t necessary. Your worth shines through to others – know your worth.”
Alexandra Stoddard
This gentle guidance encourages us to release the burden of performance. It suggests that our inherent worth is a luminous quality that naturally emanates when we are grounded in our own self-knowledge.
“Always be yourself and have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and try to duplicate it.”
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee’s advice is a powerful endorsement of authenticity. It encourages us to honor our unique path and inner conviction, rather than chasing after borrowed identities or external models of success.
How to Embody These Words
- Daily Mirror Affirmation: Look into the mirror each morning and state, “I am worthy of love and respect, just as I am.” Allow the words to settle within you.
- Internal Validation Practice: When you notice a desire for external praise or validation, gently redirect your focus inward. Ask yourself, “What do I think of this? How do I feel about my effort?”
- Journaling on Inner Value: Write down three qualities you appreciate about yourself that have nothing to do with external achievements or others’ opinions.
Uplifting You Are Worthy Quotes
“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
Thomas Jefferson
Jefferson points to the profound power of our inner landscape. This quote suggests that our mindset is not merely a passive observer but an active force that can either propel us towards our aspirations or create insurmountable barriers.
“A person’s worth in this world is estimated according to the value they put on themselves.”
Jean De La Bruyère
This observation highlights the intrinsic link between self-perception and external recognition. It implies that the esteem we cultivate within ourselves sets the standard for how the world perceives and values us.
“Dear young woman, do not place your sense of beauty and self worth, upon the plastic pedestal called “what other people say to you”, “what other people think about your photo”, “how many ‘likes’ your pictures get”, “how many guys tell you that you look sexy”, “how skinny can you be?”.
C. JoyBell
This is a heartfelt plea to anchor self-worth in something more enduring than fleeting external validation. It urges a conscious detachment from societal pressures and superficial metrics, inviting a deeper, more authentic source of value.
“I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self respect. And it’s these things I’d believe in, even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions that she wasn’t all she should be. I love her and that is the beginning of everything.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald beautifully illustrates how true admiration is rooted in character and inner strength. This quote suggests that when we are captivated by someone’s courage and self-respect, we are drawn to the core of their being, a love that transcends external opinions.
“Self love, self respect, self worth…there is a reason they all start with ‘self’. You cannot find them in anyone else.”
Unknown
This simple yet profound observation emphasizes the internal origin of these essential qualities. It’s a gentle reminder that the journey to self-love, respect, and worth is an inside job, not an external acquisition.
“He who understands you is greater kin to you than your own brother. For even your own kindred neither understand you nor know your true worth.”
Khalil Gibran
Gibran eloquently illustrates the profound connection of true understanding. This quote suggests that genuine empathy and recognition of our deepest selves can forge bonds stronger than blood, illuminating our hidden value.
“Self-worth comes from one thing – thinking that you are worthy.”
Wayne Dyer
Dyer offers a direct pathway to cultivating self-worth. This perspective suggests that the simple, conscious act of believing in our own worthiness is the foundational element that generates it.
“Not all people realize that there are a lot of small things you can do in your everyday life to improve your sense of your own worth. A good start is to each morning find three small things that you can appreciate or be grateful for about yourself.”
Unknown
This offers practical wisdom for nurturing self-appreciation. It suggests that consistent, small acts of self-recognition can gradually build a more robust sense of worth, like tending to a garden.
“The most splendid achievement of all is the constant striving to surpass yourself and to be worthy of your own approval.”
Denis Waitley
Waitley frames personal growth as a noble pursuit, emphasizing internal recognition. This quote encourages a journey of self-improvement driven not by external accolades, but by the quiet satisfaction of meeting our own standards.
“Life, to be worthy of a rational being, must be always in progression; we must always purpose to do more or better than in time past.”
Samuel Johnson
Johnson connects worthiness to a dynamic process of growth and evolution. This perspective suggests that a life lived with purpose and a commitment to continuous improvement is inherently valuable and fulfilling.
“Every human being is a volume, worthy to be studied.”
William Ellery Channing
This beautiful metaphor invites us to see the depth and complexity within each individual. It suggests that every person, including ourselves, possesses a rich inner world that deserves exploration and understanding.
“Know your worth. Then add tax.”
Unknown
This lighthearted yet powerful adage serves as a bold reminder to value yourself highly. The addition of “tax” playfully implies that your worth is significant and perhaps even deserves a premium.
“Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.”
Thomas Merton
Merton calls for an unconditional extension of love. This perspective suggests that our act of loving should be a pure offering, unburdened by judgment or the perceived worthiness of the recipient.
“It cannot, indeed, be denied, that a good man is more worthy of love than a bad one.”
Martin Luther
Luther acknowledges a natural inclination towards valuing goodness. While not negating universal worth, this quote points to the inherent appeal and perhaps greater resonance of virtuous character.
“It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him.”
Abraham Lincoln
Lincoln identifies a powerful antidote to misery: a strong sense of self-worth intertwined with a sense of connection to something greater. This suggests that deep inner validation can be a profound source of resilience.
“Know your worth. People always act like they’re doing more for you than you’re doing for them.”
Kanye West
This quote offers a pragmatic, albeit assertive, perspective on interpersonal dynamics. It encourages self-awareness regarding perceived imbalances and a firm stance on recognizing one’s own contributions.
“A small act is worth a million thoughts.”
Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei champions action over contemplation, suggesting that tangible deeds hold greater significance. This perspective invites us to move beyond mere ideation and engage in meaningful creation.
“The only thing between you and big love is your belief in your worthiness of it.”
Kristin Lohr
Lohr identifies a crucial internal barrier to receiving love. This insight suggests that our own perceived unworthiness can be the most significant obstacle to experiencing profound connection.
“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn’t try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn’t need others’ approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.”
Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu beautifully outlines a cycle of inner acceptance leading to external harmony. This wisdom suggests that true contentment and universal acceptance stem from a profound, unwavering belief in and acceptance of oneself.
“You need to love yourself. Love yourself so much to the point that your energy and aura rejects anyone who doesn’t know your worth.”
Billy Chapata
Chapata offers a passionate vision of self-love as a protective force. This perspective suggests that cultivating a deep, radiant self-love naturally creates boundaries, repelling those who cannot recognize or honor our value.
“Just being born makes you worthy enough to be here.”
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah’s statement is a powerful affirmation of inherent worth. It declares that our existence itself is the sole qualification for deserving our place in the world, removing any need for external justification.
“Of course you want someone special to love you. A majority of the people who write to me inquire about how they can get the same thing… Unique as every letter is, the point each writer reaches is the same: I want love and I’m afraid I’ll never get it. It’s hard to answer those letters because I’m an advice columnist, not a fortune-teller. I have words instead of a crystal ball. I can’t say when you’ll get love or how you’ll find it or even promise that you will. I can only say you are worthy of it and that it’s never too much to ask for it.”
Cheryl Strayed
Strayed’s compassionate response acknowledges the deep human yearning for love while grounding it in inherent worthiness. She gently shifts the focus from the when and how of finding love to the fundamental truth that we are all deserving of it, regardless of circumstance.
“One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives.”
Euripides
Euripides offers a poignant perspective on the value of chosen connection. This quote suggests that the depth of loyalty and understanding found in true friendship can far outweigh the quantity of familial ties.
“We must honor our worthiness in order to receive what we want. In our society we are conditioned to believe that we are not worthy and that it is even selfish to want to be able to attract things into our lives.”
Wayne Dyer
Dyer points to a societal conditioning that can hinder our receptivity. This perspective encourages us to actively challenge beliefs that equate self-worth with deservingness, and to embrace the idea that wanting good things is not selfish but natural.
“Each day, focus your attention on what you want. Each day, take one step that will bring you closer to it. All things are possible! The key is to identify it, claim it for yourself, and believe that you are worthy to have it.”
Iyanla Vanzant
Vanzant provides a structured approach to manifesting desires. This guidance emphasizes the crucial role of self-belief in the process, highlighting that claiming our desires is intrinsically linked to believing we are worthy of them.
“I have noticed that the Universe loves gratitude. The more grateful you are, the more goodies you get. When I say ‘goodies’, I don’t mean only material things. I mean all the people, places, and experiences that make life so wonderfully worth living.”
Louise Hay
Hay beautifully illustrates the reciprocal relationship between gratitude and abundance. This perspective suggests that by cultivating thankfulness, we open ourselves to a wealth of blessings, both tangible and intangible, that enrich our lives.
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson extols the virtue of authenticity amidst external pressures. This quote frames the act of staying true to oneself as a profound achievement, a testament to inner strength and self-acceptance.
Daily Practice
- Gratitude for Self: Dedicate a moment each day to list three things you genuinely appreciate about yourself. These can be small qualities, actions, or even your resilience.
- Reframe “Selfishness”: When you desire something good for yourself, consciously reframe it not as selfish, but as an act of honoring your own worth and needs.
- Embrace Your Journey: Acknowledge that your path is unique. Instead of comparing your progress to others, celebrate the steps you are taking to move closer to your own vision.
You Are Worthy Quotes for the Difficult Times
“If you want to improve your self worth, stop giving other people the calculator.”
Tim Fargo
Fargo offers a clear, actionable insight into a common trap. This quote encourages us to reclaim the power of self-assessment, suggesting that relying on external judgment for our worth is a disempowering habit.
“Self awareness gives you the capacity to learn from your mistakes as well as your successes. It enables you to keep growing.”
Lawrence Bossidy
Bossidy highlights the transformative power of self-reflection. This perspective suggests that understanding ourselves—our actions, reactions, and patterns—is the key to continuous growth and learning, even amidst challenges.
“Self-esteem and self-love are the opposites of fear; the more you like yourself, the less you fear anything.”
Brian Tracy
Tracy presents a compelling argument for the protective nature of self-regard. This quote suggests that cultivating genuine affection and respect for oneself acts as a powerful buffer against anxiety and apprehension.
“Don’t waste your energy trying to change opinions … Do your thing, and don’t care if they like it.”
Tina Fey
Fey’s advice is a liberating call to authenticity and self-focus. This perspective encourages us to direct our energy towards our own pursuits and passions, rather than expending it on the often futile task of managing others’ perceptions.
“Low self esteem is like driving through life with your handbrake on.”
Maxwell Maltz
Maltz uses a vivid analogy to describe the constricting effect of low self-esteem. This quote paints a picture of inhibited progress and potential, suggesting that releasing this internal brake is essential for moving forward freely.
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Roosevelt offers a powerful reminder of our agency in the face of perceived slights. This quote emphasizes that our internal response is paramount; we grant permission for external opinions to diminish us.
“Women must learn to find self worth within themselves, not through others. It is important to carve out a place just for you.”
Georgette Mosbacher
Mosbacher advocates for the internal cultivation of self-worth, particularly for women. This quote encourages the creation of a sacred inner space where value is recognized and nurtured independently of external influences.
“If I could give you one gift, I would give you the ability to see yourself as I see you, so you could see how truly special you are.”
Unknown
This sentiment expresses a deep desire for another to recognize their own inherent value. It reflects the often-unseen brilliance within individuals, suggesting that external perception can sometimes illuminate our own hidden radiance.
“Do not speak badly of yourself, for the warrior that is inside you hears your words and is lessened by them. You are strong and you are brave. There is a nobility of spirit within you. Let it grow.”
Chareos
Chareos offers a potent message of self-compassion and inner strength. This quote personifies our inner resilience as a warrior, urging us to nurture it with kind words and to recognize the inherent nobility within our spirit.
“You are worthy of love and respect. You are beautiful, gifted, and intelligent. Don’t let the storm make you forget it.”
Russell T Davies
This is a direct and empowering affirmation for challenging times. It serves as a beacon, reminding us of our fundamental qualities of worth, beauty, gift, and intelligence, even when life’s storms obscure them.
“Don’t spend most of your time on the voices that don’t count, voices that are going to add too little worth to your future. Don’t waste time on the shallow and the silly. Tune those voices out and tune in voices that are going to add something to your life”
Jim Rohn
Rohn provides practical advice on curating our internal and external dialogue. This quote encourages us to be discerning about the influences we allow into our lives, prioritizing those that foster growth and value.
“As long as you look for someone else to validate who you are by seeking their approval, you are setting yourself up for disaster. You have to be whole and complete in yourself. No one can give you that. You have to know who you are – what others say is irrelevant.”
Nic Sheff
Sheff offers a stark warning against the perils of external validation. This perspective emphasizes the necessity of inner wholeness and self-knowledge, suggesting that true identity is an internal discovery, not an external bestowal.
“You’re worthy of being chosen, fought for, and loved. Remember that.”
Mark Groves
Groves delivers a powerful reminder of our inherent deservingness. This quote serves as an anchor, reinforcing the idea that we are fundamentally worthy of deep commitment and affection from others.
“I don’t know a perfect person. I only know flawed people who are still worth loving.”
John Green
Green offers a compassionate view on humanity and connection. This quote suggests that imperfection is not a barrier to love, but rather a shared human experience that makes us all worthy of care and affection.
“Everything in the universe wants to be loved and accepted. Our personal work is to find the love and acceptance within ourselves.”
Shakti Gawain
Gawain identifies a universal longing and points to the ultimate source of its fulfillment. This perspective suggests that the journey towards love and acceptance begins not by seeking it externally, but by cultivating it within our own being.
“Your net worth can fluctuate, but your self-worth should only appreciate.”
Chris Gardner
Gardner draws a clear distinction between external measures of value and internal self-regard. This quote emphasizes that our true worth is an enduring quality that should deepen over time, independent of financial or social fluctuations.
“Remember that you are worthy of love. Just like everyone else in this world. Disregard unkind words that may be thrown at you and focus on that to lift yourself up again.”
Unknown
This is a gentle yet firm reminder of our intrinsic worthiness. It encourages us to actively shield ourselves from negativity and to draw strength from the fundamental truth of our deservingness of love.
“Until you know your worth you’ll continue to seek other people’s approval just to feel good about yourself.”
Sonya Parker
Parker highlights the cyclical nature of seeking external validation when internal worth is unrecognized. This quote suggests that true and lasting self-esteem arises from an internal knowing, rather than a reliance on others’ opinions.
“Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is believing you’re worthy of the trip.”
Glenn Beck
Beck identifies the internal struggle of self-belief as a significant hurdle. This perspective suggests that the journey of life and self-discovery is often most challenging when we doubt our own right to embark upon it.
“The one thing that keeps us out of connection is our fear that we’re not worthy of connection.”
Brené Brown
Brown pinpoints a core human fear that hinders intimacy. This insight suggests that our deep-seated belief in our own unworthiness can create an invisible barrier, preventing us from forming meaningful connections.
“The moment you feel like you have to prove your worth to someone is the moment to absolutely and utterly walk away.”
Alysia Harris
Harris offers decisive advice for protecting our sense of self. This quote encourages us to recognize that the need to constantly prove our value is a sign that we are in an unhealthy dynamic, and that preserving our dignity requires disengagement.
“Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself.”
Harvey Fierstein
Fierstein delivers a powerful manifesto for self-determination and resilience. This quote urges us to resist external pressures that seek to silence or define us, empowering us to claim authorship of our own lives.
“Life is ten percent what you experience and ninety percent how you respond to it.”
Dorothy M. Neddermeyer
Neddermeyer emphasizes the profound impact of our internal response to external events. This perspective suggests that our attitude and reaction are far more significant than the circumstances themselves, offering a powerful locus of control.
“Know who you are. Know what you want. Know what you deserve. And don’t settle for less.”
Tony Gaskins
Gaskins provides a concise and potent roadmap for self-advocacy. This quote encourages a grounded understanding of self, desire, and inherent deservingness, leading to a firm commitment to honoring those truths.
How to Embody These Words
- Internal Compass: When faced with criticism or doubt, pause and consult your inner compass. Ask yourself: “Does this resonate with my truth? Does it align with who I know myself to be?”
- Reclaim Your Narrative: Identify one area where you feel others have defined you. Write a short paragraph that reclaims that definition, focusing on your own perspective and experience.
- Mindful Response Practice: The next time you encounter a difficult situation or a discouraging comment, consciously choose your response. Instead of reacting impulsively, take a breath and decide how you want to respond, aligning with your values.
We hope these powerful affirmations have ignited a deeper sense of self-belief within you. For more uplifting messages and perspectives that celebrate your inner strength, explore our collection of Inspirational Quotes.