Roy Baumeister

"The self is not a thing but a process. It is something you do, not something you have."

"One of the most universal cravings of our time is a quality of identity and allegiance."

"Willpower is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets."

"Self-control is strength. Calmness is mastery. You have to get to a point where your mood doesn't affect your productivity."

"The self's capacity to regulate itself is a key factor in both individual success and social harmony."

"Ego depletion is real and affects our decision-making abilities throughout the day."

"People who are successful are those who can delay gratification."

"The pursuit of meaningful relationships is what drives human behavior more than anything else."

"Self-esteem is not about feeling good about yourself; it's about respecting yourself."

"We are motivated more by the fear of losing what we have than by the prospect of gaining something new."

"Culture is a network of meaning-making institutions and practices."

"The desire to belong is one of the strongest human drives."

"Violence is often rooted in threatened egotism and the need to restore a damaged self-image."

"Meaning is what makes life worth living."

"The self evolved to serve social purposes."

"Rejection is one of the most painful experiences humans can endure."

"People will go to great lengths to avoid being alone with their thoughts."

"The modern self is increasingly disconnected from traditional sources of meaning."

"Rationalizing failures is a universal human tendency."

"We are storytellers by nature, constantly constructing narratives about ourselves."

"Self-control requires energy, and when depleted, we are more likely to act impulsively."

"The need for significance drives much of human behavior."

"People are motivated to maintain a positive self-image at almost any cost."

"Culture provides the rules and meanings that enable human societies to function."

"The self is a cultural product as much as a psychological one."

"Forgiveness is a decision to give up resentment and the desire for revenge."

"Good relationships require sacrifice and compromise from both parties."

"The fear of being alone is more powerful than the desire for freedom."

"Success often comes from persistent effort in the face of setbacks."

"Understanding human nature requires acknowledging both our selfish and prosocial motivations."