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30 sentences by Carl Rogers, the humanistic psychologist

30 sentences by Carl Rogers, the humanistic psychologist

March 26, 2024

Carl Ransom Rogers was an influential American psychologist , known for being one of the greatest exponents of the humanist approach to psychology. His contributions to psychotherapy are numerous and his ideas are still alive today, as his vision of therapeutic practice was truly innovative.

If you still do not know his theory, you can read this article: "The Theory of Personality proposed by Carl Rogers", although to better understand his way of thinking can also serve to read some of his sentences and reflections on psychology and the human mind in general.

The best quotes from Carl Rogers

Throughout his life, this psychologist left great reflections for the memory. In this article we have compiled some of the best quotes from Carl Rogers so you can enjoy your thought.


1. The man who is educated is the one who learns to learn

For Rogers, Self-knowledge is key to achieving well-being and self-realization . The human being, many times, has difficulties when it comes to finding himself.

  • Related article: "13 characteristics of self-realized people according to Abraham Maslow"

2. The very essence of creativity is its novelty, and therefore we have no rule to judge it

According to the author, when a person feels free and responsible, he connects with nature. This can be done through the creative process of the arts or the sciences or by social concern or love.


3. We can not change, we can not get away from what we are until we accept what we are. Then the change seems to go almost unnoticed

It is useless to hide reality, because if we do not accept ourselves, problems will appear again and again.

4. True happiness is in accepting oneself and coming into contact with oneself

One of the three fundamental attitudes of the human being with respect to well-being is the "unconditional acceptance", in which person must totally accept his person and his behaviors. Self-respect is the key to good mental health.

5. I feel moved and fulfilled when I glimpse the fact, or I allow myself the sensation, that someone cares, that he accepts me, admires me or praises me

We do not stop being social beings and, therefore, when we receive love and respect that also makes us feel good.

6. It is not that this approach gives power to the person, it is that he never takes it away

In this sentence, Rogers clearly defends the humanist method , of which he, along with Abraham Maslow, is one of the greatest exponents.


7. The only thing I know is that anyone who wants to can improve their well-being

For Rogers, people are masters of our destiny and our emotional state and, therefore, we can work to improve it.

8. When I look at the world I am pessimistic, but when I look at people I am an optimist

The world is not a perfect place and we can often suffer situations of difficulty. However, people are active beings and we can fight to be better despite the adversities thanks to the resilience processes.

9. A person, upon discovering that he is loved for being as he is, not for what he pretends to be, will feel that he deserves respect and love

When one is true to oneself, one is able to feel self-realized and is able to enjoy true well-being.

10. It is not often that a personal meeting takes place so deep and mutual, but I am convinced that if it does not happen from time to time, we do not live as human beings

Deep self-reflection may have a great effect on our emotional and mental well-being . It helps us connect with ourselves.

11. To be empathetic is to see the world through the eyes of the other and not see our world reflected in their eyes

Empathy is a great quality that human beings can possess, but we can also do the same with ourselves, with our own internal experience.

12. The degree to which I can create relationships that facilitate the growth of others as separate persons is a measure of the growth I have achieved in myself.

A deep reflection of this renowned psychologist. His thinking has influenced many professionals in psychology because of the emphasis he placed on private and subjective mental phenomena.

13. In my relationships with people I have found that it does not help, in the long term, to act as if it were something I am not

So that one is comfortable with oneself and happy, the first step is to find oneself and connect with one's inner experience.

14. Neither the bible, nor the prophets, nor the revelations of God or of men, nothing has priority over my direct experience

For Rogers, there is no better way to learn than through one's own experience, the one that leads to self-reflection.

15. People are as beautiful as sunsets, if they are allowed to be.Actually, maybe the reason we truly appreciate a sunset is because we can not control it

As a good humanist, self-realization and personal development are two of the main ideas of his theory.

16. I have observed that I am more effective when I open myself, accepting myself

Again, an appointment that deals with your concept of intentional acceptance. Key to your therapeutic model .

17. The curious paradox is that when I accept myself as I am, then I can change

The concept of intentional acceptance is the basis of any change. If we do not accept ourselves, we resist the change.

18. Love, both in painful anxiety and in happiness, is present in all

Self-love is essential to deal with any event that happens around us.

19. What is more personal is the most universal

One of those quotes that invite us to deep reflection. With these words he makes clear his existentialist base.

20. I realize that if I were stable, prudent and static, I would live in death. Therefore, I accept the confusion, the uncertainty, the fear and the emotional ups and downs, because that is the price I am willing to pay for a fluid, perplexing and exciting life.

A concept that developed later, but is influenced by this Rogers' thought, is the "comfort zone." You can meet him in this article: "How to get out of your comfort zone? 7 keys to achieve it ".

21. Everything looks different when you look at your heart

When you accept yourself, life seems to have a different color. A much lighter color.

22. The only well-educated person is one who has learned to learn and change

When you look inside and learn from experience, you achieve a much more powerful learning.

23. In my first professional years I was asked this question: how can I treat, cure or change this person? Now I would ask the question in this way: how can I provide a relationship that this person can use for their own personal growth?

According to Rogers' theory, the relationship with the therapist is essential for the proper recovery of the patient, whom he calls the client.

24. You can not be afraid of death, in reality, you can only be afraid of life

A date with a touch of irony, but that leaves a very clear message.

25. Experience is for me the supreme authority

Through experience, we can learn valuable things for our mental health and our personal development.

26. For meaningful learning, which causes profound changes in the individual, it must be strong, and not limited to an increase in knowledge, but encompass all parts of existence

It is necessary that all the senses be alert during experiential learning.

27. It seems to me that anything that can be taught to another is relatively inconsequential, and has little or no significant influence on behavior

An appointment that deals with the importance of supporting each other in learning.

28. The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is an address, not a destination

Well-being is a place where we all want to be, but we have to work to be there. It is not static, but dynamic .

29. Self-acceptance is the first step to the genuine acceptance of others

To be able to relate to other individuals in a healthy way, it is necessary that we first relate to ourselves in the best way.

30. There is direction but there is no destination

The importance of the goals is not to get where we want, but to live the process in the best way. When we reach a goal, unconsciously we look for a new one.

  • Related article: "The 55 best sentences about Psychology ... and its meaning"

What Is An Example Of Humanistic Psychology (March 2024).


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