“If I am what I have and if I lose what I have who then am I?”
— Erich Fromm
Copied to clipboard
Simplified Meaning:
People often define themselves by the things they own or their achievements. For example, someone might think they are important because they have a nice car, a big house, or a high-paying job. But if those things are lost, they might start to wonder who they really are. Without the car, house, or job, they're still the same person, but they might feel lost or unsure. This idea suggests that it's important to know and value your inner qualities—like kindness, honesty, and resilience—because these are parts of you that don't go away, no matter what happens. Instead of relying only on material things to feel good about yourself, focus on who you are inside and what you can offer to the world.
Related tags
Existentialism Identity Introspection Materialism Non-attachment Personal growth Philosophy Self-discovery Self-reflection Self-worthFEATURED QUOTES
