"存在先于本质，并支配本质"
— Jean Paul Sartre
Simplified Meaning:
The idea here is that our lives and actions define who we are, rather than some pre-determined nature or essence setting how we'll live. Take an artist, for example. They're not born with the label "artist"; instead, they become one by choosing to paint, practice, and create art. If someone feels they’re not capable of something, like public speaking, they can still practice and become good at it. We're not born with a fixed identity; we shape ourselves through the choices we make and the actions we take. This means we have the power and freedom to create our own meaning and purpose in life by what we choose to do every day. So, for anyone feeling stuck or limited by how they think they are 'supposed' to be, they can remind themselves that actions and decisions will shape their true self.
