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."
Quotes From Famous Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
11 Quotes From the Biggest Movies of 2023
The Classics: Quotes From History’s Greatest Poems
20 Surprisingly Insightful Quotes From Children’s Movies
12 Quotes on What Makes a Society Strong
13 Quotes To Help You Move On From Past Loves
15 Quotes That Get to the Heart of Buddhism
19 Quotes To Keep You Hopeful
Quotes To Help You Live a More Spontaneous Life
The Best Quotes To Use in Wedding Toasts, Cards, and Vows
These Books by Black Authors May Just Change Your Life