Erik Erikson

We cannot leave history entirely to nonclinical observers and to professional historians. ”

A man's conflicts represent what he 'really' is. ”

Nobody likes to be found out, not even one who has made ruthless confession a part of his profession. Any autobiographer, therefore, at least between the lines, spars with his reader and potential judge. ”

When we looked at the life cycle in our 40s, we looked to old people for wisdom. At 80, though, we look at other 80-year-olds to see who got wise and who not. Lots of old people don't get wise, but you don't get wise unless you age. ”

Babies control and bring up their families as much as they are controlled by them; in fact the family brings up baby by being brought up by him. ”

We are what we love. ”

He who is ashamed would like to force the world not to look at him, not to notice his exposure. He would like to destroy the eyes of the world. ”

Life doesn't make any sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, the better for us all. ”

You've got to learn to accept the law of life, and face the fact that we disintegrate slowly. ”

In the social jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity. ”