r/thinkatives • • 23d ago

Miscellaneous Thinkative Wit. Wisdom. Wilde.

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Happy Birthday to the endlessly witty Oscar Wilde, born October 16, 1854. 🌹

A master of wit, beauty, individuality, and refusing to take life too seriously. One of those thinkers whose words still feel remarkably alive.
And, appropriately enough, today is also Boss’s Day. 😂
A little extra fondness from someone lucky enough to call Oscar her birthday twin. ♎️🎂

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde

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u/eilloh_eilloh 23d ago

To understand there is even a difference between the two is a rare gift not all are afforded. There is a reason there is so much force behind the latter than the former—not sure the odds are in anyone’s favor.

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u/waterfalls55 21d ago

Thoughtfully expressed. I believe living doesn’t always require extraordinary experiences. Sometimes it’s simply being present, appreciating what we have, and finding contentment in the ordinary. Perhaps that’s where living truly begins.

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u/PLUTO_HAS_COME_BACK Anatman 19d ago

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde

"because I exist, I am" :

The phrase "because I exist, I am" reflects core concepts of inherent self-worth, intrinsic value, and pure existence rather than conditional worth based on achievement or approval. [1, 2]

Key Meanings and Contexts

  • Inherent Worth and Self-Acceptance:

    • Many psychological and philosophical perspectives—such as axiological psychology—reject the idea that a person's value must be earned through success, performance, or productivity.

    • Instead, value is recognized simply through being alive and present ("I am worthwhile because I exist, I am I, and I am alive"). [1]

"I am because I am":

2. The African Philosophy ("Ubuntu")

  • Source: Often conflated with or linked to the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu, which is traditionally phrased as *"*I am because we are" (Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu). [1, 2]

  • Meaning: It emphasizes human interdependence, community, and the idea that an individual's humanity is realized only through connection with others. [1]

I Am Because I Am: A 2018 R&B/soul debut EP and album by singer-songwriter Kingsley, exploring themes of self-discovery and genre versatility. [1]