30 quotes from Carl Rogers, the humanistic psychologist
Carl Ransom Rogers was an influential American psychologist, known for being one of the greatest exponents of the humanistic approach to psychology. His contributions to psychotherapy are numerous and his ideas are still alive today, as his vision of therapeutic practice was truly innovative.
If you still don't know his theory, you can read this article: "The Personality Theory proposed by Carl Rogers"Although to better understand his way of thinking, it may also be useful to read some of his phrases and reflections on psychology and the human mind in general.
The best quotes of Carl Rogers
Throughout his life, this psychologist left great reflections to remember. In this article we have compiled some of the best Carl Rogers quotes so you can enjoy the thought of him.
1. The man who is educated is the one who learns to learn
For Rogers, self-knowledge is key to achieving well-being and self-realization. The human being, many times, has difficulties when it comes to finding himself.
- Related article: "13 characteristics of self-actualized people according to Abraham Maslow"
2. The very essence of creativity is its novelty, and therefore we have no standard to judge it
According to the author, when a person feels free and responsible, he connects with nature. This can be done through the creative process of the arts or sciences or out of social concern or love.
3. We cannot change, we cannot get away from who we are until we accept who we are. So the change seems to come almost unnoticed
There is no use hiding reality, because if we do not accept ourselves, problems will appear again and again.
4. True happiness is in accepting yourself and getting in touch with yourself
One of the three fundamental attitudes of the human being regarding well-being is "unconditional acceptance", in which a person must fully accept his person and her behaviors. Self-respect is key to good mental health.
5. I feel moved and fulfilled when I glimpse the fact, or allow myself the feeling, that someone cares about me, accepts me, admires me or praises me
We do not stop being social beings and, therefore, when we receive love and respect that also makes us feel good.
6. It is not that this approach empowers the person, it is that it never takes it away.
In this sentence, Rogers clearly defends the humanistic method, of which he, together with Abraham Maslow, is one of the greatest exponents.
7. The only thing I know is that anyone who wants to can improve their well-being
For Rogers, people are the owners of our destiny and our emotional state and, therefore, we can work to improve it.
8. When I look at the world I am pessimistic, but when I look at people I am optimistic
The world is not a perfect place and we can often suffer from difficult situations. However, people are active beings and we can fight to be better despite adversity thanks to the processes of resilience.
9. A person, discovering that he is loved for being who he is, not for what he pretends to be, will feel that he deserves respect and love.
When one is true to himself, he is able to feel self-actualized and is able to enjoy true well-being.
10. It is not often that such a deep and mutual personal encounter takes place, but I am convinced that if it does not happen from time to time, we do not live as human beings
Deep self-reflection can have a great effect on our emotional and mental well-being. It helps us connect with ourselves.
11. Being empathetic is seeing the world through the eyes of the other and not seeing our world reflected in their eyes
Empathy is a great quality that human beings can possess, but we can also do the same with ourselves, with our own internal experience.
12. The degree to which I can create relationships that facilitate the growth of others as separate persons is a measure of the growth I have achieved in myself.
A deep reflection from this renowned psychologist. His thinking has influenced many psychology professionals by the emphasis he placed on private and subjective mental phenomena.
13. In my relationships with people I have found that it does not help, in the long term, to act as if I am something
For one to be comfortable with oneself and be happy, the first step is to find oneself and connect with one's inner experience.
14. Neither the bible, nor the prophets, nor the revelations of God or of men, nothing takes precedence over my direct experience
For Rogers, there is no better way to learn than through experience itself, the one that leads us to self-reflection.
15. People are as beautiful as sunsets, if they are allowed to be. Actually, maybe the reason we truly appreciate a sunset is because we can't control it.
As a good humanist, self-realization and personal development are two of the main ideas of his theory.
16. I have found that I am most effective when I open myself up, accepting myself
Again, a quote that deals with the concept of intentional acceptance of him. Key to your therapeutic model.
17. The curious paradox is that when I accept myself as I am, then I can change
The concept of intentional acceptance is the foundation of any change. If we don't accept ourselves, we resist change.
18. Love, both in painful anxiety and in happiness, is present in everything
Love towards oneself is essential to face any event that happens around us.
19. What is most personal is the most universal
One of those quotes that invite us to deep reflection. With these words he makes clear his existentialist basis.
20. I realize that if I were stable, cautious and static I would live in death. Therefore, I accept confusion, uncertainty, fear and emotional ups and downs, because that is the price I am willing to pay for a fluid, perplexed and exciting life.
A concept that was developed later, but is influenced by this Rogers thinking, is the "comfort zone." You can find out about it in this article: "How to get out of your comfort zone? 7 keys to achieve it”.
21. Everything looks different when you look into your heart
When you accept yourself, life seems to have a different color. A much lighter color.
22. The only well-educated person is the one who has learned to learn and change
When you look within and learn from experience, you achieve much more powerful learning.
23. In my early professional years I asked myself this question: How can I treat, heal or change this person? Now I would formulate the question this way: How can I provide a relationship that this person can use for his or her own personal growth?
According to Rogers' theory, the relationship with the therapist is essential for the proper recovery of the patient, who is called the client.
24. You can't be afraid of death, really, you can only be afraid of life
A date with a touch of irony, but that leaves a very clear message.
25. Experience is the supreme authority for me
Through experience, we can learn valuable things for our mental health and personal development.
26. For meaningful learning, which causes profound changes in the individual, it must be strong, and not be limited to an increase in knowledge, but encompass all parts of existence
All the senses need to be alert during experiential learning.
27. It seems to me that anything that can be taught to another is relatively inconsequential, and has little or no significant influence on behavior.
A quote about the importance of supporting each other in learning.
28. The good life is a process, not a state of being. This is a direction, not a destination
Well-being is a place we all want to be, but you have to work to be there. It is not something static, but dynamic.
29. Acceptance of yourself is the first step to genuine acceptance of others
In order to be able to relate to other individuals in a healthy way, it is necessary that we first relate to ourselves in the best way.
30. There is direction but there is no destination
The importance of goals is not to get where we want, but to live the process in the best way. When we reach a goal, we unconsciously look for a new one.
- Related article: "The 55 best phrases about Psychology... and its meaning"
