Being Known Quotes

“Being known. This, of course, is the goal, the agenda so carefully hidden it may be unknown even to the self. The cutter cuts to make the pain at her center visible. The anorexic starves to make manifest her hunger and vulnerability. The extremes announce, This is who I am, this is what I feel, this is what happens when I don't get what I need. In quadraphonic sound, they give voice to the most central human hunger, which is the desire to be recognized, to be known and loved because of, and in spite of, who you are; they give voice to the sorrow that takes root when that hunger is unsatisfied.”
― Caroline Knapp, Appetites: Why Women Want

“She was such a solitary woman. A solitary woman who longed for one person to know her. I think I do know her now, but it is too late.”
― Jeanette Winterson, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

“I thank God above that I have someone in my life with whom I can share the whole story of why I am the way I am.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich, Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year

“It’s the job of the soul to stretch out across the body of the desert and touch, without skin or fingers or nerves, the hidden creek that wets our knowledge of who we are. Who we are before and after. Who we are when we’re alone and a goddess looks into our eyes, looks into our dreams and says, yes. I see you clearly.”
― Laurie Perez, Virga in Death Valley

“[Being rejected] hurt, 'cause what turned me on in sex was believing that they knew me, that I'd found somebody to understand.”
― Chris Kraus, I Love Dick

“We want ourselves to be seen and to have been seen as we are; and we want just as much to veil ourselves and remain unknown, for behind every determination of our being lies dormant the unspoken possibility of being different.”
― Helmuth Plessner, Grenzen der Gemeinschaft

“Wren could not easily walk away now, because she had lingered past the point of invisibility. Her identity was crystallized to these people, and once she allowed herself to become solid to other human beings, she would be seen. After being seen, Wren risked being known, and being known came with the risk of loss. Even this small interaction cost her too much.”
― Emily Habeck, Shark Heart

“Who knows the secrets in my gaze?
What holds me back when I might choke?
Who sees beyond my taut hellos
To see the grief etched on my face?
Nobody knows what lurks within;
Nobody brings me back again.”
― Allison Joseph