Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her.

Kate Chopin · The Awakening (1899), ch. VI

Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life.

Kate Chopin · The Awakening (1899), ch. XXXVIII

She was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world.

Kate Chopin · The Awakening (1899), ch. XIX

More Self Love Quotes

I believe that first and foremost I am an individual, just as much as you are.

Henrik Ibsen · The source reads: “Helmer: First and foremost, you are a wife and mother. Nora: That I don't believe any more. I believe that first and foremost I am an individual, just as much as you are.” · A Doll's House (1879), act III, Nora to Helmer

You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.

Often credited to Gautama Buddha · Found in no Buddhist scripture; the nearest canonical line, in the Udana, says a person searching the world finds no one dearer than himself, and this self-love version first appears in print in 2001, with a near-identical earlier form credited to the meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg.

I celebrate myself, and sing myself.

Walt Whitman · The opening line of his long poem of the self, which goes on to tell the reader that every atom belonging to him belongs to you too.

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“Mrs. Pontellier was beginning to realize her position in the universe as a human being, and to recognize her relations as an individual to the world within and about her.”

“Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life.”

“She was becoming herself and daily casting aside that fictitious self which we assume like a garment with which to appear before the world.”

“I believe that first and foremost I am an individual, just as much as you are.”

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

“I celebrate myself, and sing myself.”