Albert Ellis Quotes, born September 27, 1913, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was an American psychologist who founded Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), a pioneering form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Renowned for his direct, practical approach to mental health, Ellis authored over 80 books, including A Guide to Rational Living (1961), and helped millions challenge irrational beliefs to live more fulfilling lives. These 15 quotes—sourced from his writings, interviews, and public statements—reflect his wisdom on self-acceptance, resilience, and rational thinking, capturing his bold and transformative legacy.
15 Albert Ellis Quotes
- “The art of love is largely the art of persistence.” (Book, The Art and Science of Love, 1960)
- “You largely construct your depression. It wasn’t given to you. Therefore, you can deconstruct it.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “There are three musts that hold us back: I must do well. You must treat me well. And the world must be easy.” (Book, How to Stubbornly Refuse to Make Yourself Miserable About Anything, 1988)
- “Acceptance is not love. You love a person because he or she has lovable traits, but you accept everybody just because they’re alive and human.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own.” (Book, A Guide to Rational Living, 1961)
- “Stop shoulding on yourself and start living.” (Lecture, quoted in The Albert Ellis Reader, 1998)
- “Rational beliefs bring us closer to getting good results in the real world.” (Book, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, 1999)
- “You don’t need to be loved or approved by others to feel good about yourself.” (Interview, Psychology Today, 1985)
- “Neurosis is just a high-class word for whining.” (Book, How to Control Your Anxiety Before It Controls You, 1998)
- “By not caring too much about what people think, I’m able to think for myself and propagate ideas which are very often unpopular.” (Post on X, @AlbertEllisInst, 2020-09-27)
- “Self-esteem is the greatest sickness known to man or woman because it’s conditional.” (Interview, The New York Times, 2000)
- “People don’t just get upset. They contribute to their upsetness.” (Book, Feeling Better, Getting Better, Staying Better, 2001)
- “If something is irrational, that means it won’t work. It’s usually unrealistic.” (Interview, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “You can’t change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future.” (Book, How to Make Yourself Happy and Remarkably Less Disturbable, 1999)
- “Happiness is not a gift—it’s a skill you can learn.” (Interview, The Washington Post, 1995)
Albert Ellis’s quotes blend sharp wit, practical wisdom, and unapologetic clarity, inspiring us to challenge irrational thoughts, embrace self-acceptance, and take charge of our emotional lives. Which one empowers you to think rationally today? Drop it in the comments and keep Ellis’s transformative legacy alive!