By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
This quote comes from “The Book of Disquiet,” a posthumously published collection of Fernando Pessoa’s work left behind after his death in 1935. The Portuguese poet and writer saw identity as fluid and dynamic, and is famous for writing under numerous pseudonyms, giving each invented version of himself a full history and background — even going so far as to draft whole “autobiographies” for the imagined individuals behind his pen names. In the essay where this quote appears, Pessoa posits that our experiences are what we imagine, rather than what we encounter. "If I create it, it exists; if it exists, then I see it like any other scenery," he wrote. "Life is what we make of it."
15 Life-Changing Quotes From Marcus Aurelius’ ‘Meditations’
14 Quotes on the Meaning of Racial Equity
15 Quotes To Help You Feel Brave
The Best Advice From Brené Brown
Our Top 23 Quotes of 2023
7 Things You Didn’t Know About Truman Capote
Add a Dash of Laughter to Your Day With These Cooking Quotes
24 Quotes About the Power of Sticking Together
12 Beautiful Thoughts From Environmentalist Aldo Leopold
12 Quotes for When You’re Feeling Overstimulated
Quotes About How Passion Can Improve Your Life