Quote

The great majority of the things we now make ourselves panicked about are self-created 'dangers' that exist almost entirely in our own imaginations.

Albert Ellis

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Albert Ellis
Age: 93 †
Born: 1913
Born: September 27
Died: 2007
Died: July 24
Behaviour Therapist
Cognitive Scientist
Non-Fiction Writer
Psychologist
Sex Educator
Pittsburg
Pennsylvania
Imagination
Dangers
Almost
Entirely
Self
Anxiety
Great
Majority
Make
Created
Things
Exist
Danger
Panicked
Worry
Imaginations

More quotes by Albert Ellis

Image
People are terrified of other people or difficult projects because they tell themselves that they could fail or be rejected. Failure can lead to sorrow, regret, frustration and annoyance-all healthy feelings without which people couldn't exist.
Albert Ellis
Image
I thought foolishly that Freudian psychoanalysis was deeper and more intensive than other, more directive forms of therapy, so I was trained in it and practiced it.
Albert Ellis
Image
I wrote several articles criticizing psychoanalysis, but the analysts weren't listening to my objections. So I finally quit after practicing it for six years.
Albert Ellis
Image
Most things worth having require some sacrifice, usually more than you expect.
Albert Ellis
Image
The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.
Albert Ellis
Image
The goal...is not to change your desires and wishes but to persuade you to stop demanding that you absolutely must have what you wish-from yourself, from others, and from the world. You can by all means keep your wishes, preferences, and desires, but unless you prefer to remain needlessly anxious, not your grandiose demands.
Albert Ellis
Image
We teach people that they upset themselves. We can't change the past, so we change how people are thinking, feeling and behaving today.
Albert Ellis
Image
I hope to die in the saddle seat.
Albert Ellis
Image
If the Martians ever find out how human beings think, they'll kill themselves laughing.
Albert Ellis
Image
There's no evidence whatsoever that men are more rational than women. Both sexes seem to be equally irrational.
Albert Ellis
Image
The world consists mainly of love slobs who need other people's approval. Most people don't live their own lives very well.
Albert Ellis
Image
Needing leads to bleeding - to almost all inevitable suffering.
Albert Ellis
Image
Lack of forgiveness of others breeds lack of self-forgiveness.
Albert Ellis
Image
Spirit and soul is horseshit of the worst sort. Obviously there are no fairies, no Santa Clauses, no spirits. What there is, is human goals and purposes as noted by sane existentialists. But a lot of transcendentalists are utter screwballs.
Albert Ellis
Image
For that again, is what all manner of religion essentially is: childish dependency.
Albert Ellis
Image
I'm one of the best-loved psychologists in the United States, but I'm also probably the most hated one.
Albert Ellis
Image
In the old days we used to get more referrals, because people had insurance that paid for therapy. Now they belong to HMOs, and we can only be affiliated with a few HMOs.
Albert Ellis
Image
To err is human to forgive people and yourself for poor behavior is to be sensible and realistic.
Albert Ellis
Image
Most people would have given up when faced with all the criticism I've received over the years.
Albert Ellis
Image
We can't change the past, so we change how people are thinking, feeling and behaving today.
Albert Ellis