Quotes about Validation

I find I need to put things into words before I can believe that they are entirely real.

The best theology would need no advocates; it would prove itself.

We are deeply conditioned against unconditionality because we've been told in a thousand different ways that accomplishment always precedes acceptance, that achievement always precedes approval.

You want the praise of people who kick themselves every 15 minutes. The praise of people who despise themselves?

Why is it we want so badly to memorialize ourselves? Even while we're still alive. We wish to assert our existence, like dogs peeing on fire hydrants.

Which of us can resist the temptation of being thought indispensable?

Jimmy found himself wishing to make a dent in Crake, get a reaction; it was one of his weaknesses, to care what other people thought of him.

Now I wanted to be acknowledged, but I feared it.

What were prizes but one more level of control imposed on Art by the establishment?

Don't waste your energy trying to convince people to understand you. Your time is too valuable to try to prove yourself to people.

I don't concern myself with award. I'd been to the party enough times to know it really didn't matter.

And my fear of failure has been lifelong and deep. If you are what you do- and I think my parents may have accidentally given me this idea- and you do poorly, what then? It's over; you're wiped out. All those prophecies you heard in the dark have come true, and people can see the real you, see what a schmendrick you are, what a fraud.