We must remember that knowledge of one’s own deep nature is also simultaneously knowledge of human nature in general.

The loss of illusions and the discovery of identity, though painful at first, can be ultimately exhilarating and strengthening.

The spiritual life is part of the human essence. It is a defining characteristic of human nature, without which human nature is not fully human.

As one studies these preconditions, one becomes saddened by the ease with which human potentiality can be destroyed or repressed, so that a fully-human person can seem like a miracle, so improbable a happening as to be awe-inspiring. And simultaneously one is heartened by the fact that self-actualizing persons do in fact exist, that they are therefore possible, that the gauntlet of dangers can be run, that the finish line can be crossed.

We can consider the process of healthy growth to be a never ending series of free choice situations, confronting each individual at every point throughout his life, in which he must choose between the delights of safety and growth, dependence and independence, regression and progression, immaturity and maturity.

Human nature has been sold short...[humans have] a higher nature which...includes the need for meaningful work, for responsibility, for creativeness, for being fair and just, for doing what is worthwhile and for preferring to do it well.

What a man can be, he must be. This need we call self-actualizat ion.