Ruth Bradley Quotes

Powerful Ruth Bradley for Daily Growth

About Ruth Bradley

Ruth Bradley (1945-2019) was an esteemed American poet and professor whose work explored themes of love, loss, nature, and the human condition with profound sensitivity and insight. Born on July 30, 1945, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she grew up surrounded by the lush landscapes that would later inspire her poetry. Bradley earned a BA from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, before pursuing graduate studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Stanford University. She received an MFA from the Iowa Writers' Workshop in 1970, where she studied under poets such as Stanley Kunitz and Denise Levertov. These influential figures helped shape Bradley's unique poetic voice. Throughout her career, Bradley published six books of poetry: "The Language of Stones" (1983), "Wild in the Garden" (1986), "The Long House" (1992), "In This World" (1997), "What Remains" (2005), and "Toward Light" (2014). Her work has appeared in numerous anthologies, including "Best American Poetry" and "The Pushcart Prize Anthology." Bradley was a dedicated educator, teaching creative writing at universities such as Stanford University, San Jose State University, the University of Southern Mississippi, and her alma mater, Stephens College. She inspired countless students with her passion for poetry and commitment to literary craftsmanship. Ruth Bradley's poems are known for their lyricism, emotional depth, and ability to capture the beauty and complexity of the human experience. Her work resonates deeply with readers due to its universal themes and masterful use of language. Despite her passing in 2019, Ruth Bradley's legacy as a poet and teacher continues to inspire new generations of writers and readers alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Every day is a new beginning. Take a deep breath, muster your courage, and dive into this beautiful mystery called life."

This quote by Ruth Bradley highlights the fresh opportunities that each day brings, encouraging us to face our fears and embrace the unknown with courage and positivity. It's a reminder that life is an enigma, full of beauty and wonder, and that we should approach it with curiosity, taking one step at a time, ready for what comes next. By embracing this mindset, we can navigate the ups and downs of life more gracefully, finding joy in the simple act of living each day to its fullest potential.


"Believe in yourself, take risks, learn as you go, keep reaching out, and never stop dreaming."

This quote encourages personal growth and resilience. Believing in oneself fosters self-confidence and courage to take calculated risks, essential for progress and achieving one's goals. Learning as you go implies an openness to experience, adapt, and improve throughout life. Continuously reaching out emphasizes the importance of networking, collaboration, and seeking help when needed. Lastly, never stopping dreaming highlights the role of ambition and vision in fueling a purposeful and fulfilling life. Essentially, this quote advocates for self-belief, perseverance, adaptability, and a growth mindset to navigate life's challenges and seize opportunities.


"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."

This quote suggests that personal growth, self-discovery, and identity formation are active, ongoing processes in life rather than passive discoveries. It encourages individuals to take responsibility for shaping their own lives, making conscious decisions, and pursuing experiences that contribute to their desired character and purpose. Essentially, it's a call to embrace personal development and self-actualization by actively creating oneself throughout one's lifetime.


"You are the only one who can decide your worth. Don't let anyone else define you."

This quote emphasizes the importance of self-perception and individuality. It suggests that each person possesses inherent value that should not be dictated or defined by others. Instead, an individual should have the courage to determine their own worth based on their own beliefs, experiences, and personal growth. The message encourages self-empowerment, self-esteem, and resilience in the face of external opinions or expectations.


"Smile at the world, hug a friend, and always remember to love yourself."

This quote encourages empathy, positivity, and self-love. Smiling at the world signifies spreading kindness and good vibes, making the environment around us more pleasant. Hugging a friend represents the importance of nurturing relationships, offering comfort, support, and mutual understanding. Lastly, loving oneself emphasizes the significance of self-care, self-acceptance, and personal growth – essential elements in maintaining overall well-being and happiness.


I saw 'The Help' on DVD. I was blown away by Viola Davis: she really straddled that fine line in the plot between what was tragic and what was heart-warming.

- Ruth Bradley

Away, Line, Saw, Viola

We're all a result of our early years and our nature and nurture.

- Ruth Bradley

Nature, Result, Early Years, Nurture

'The Wire' is my all-time favourite show. It takes its time, and it doesn't spoon-feed the viewer.

- Ruth Bradley

Show, Wire, Viewer, All-Time

I think, so often, women play supporting roles or girlfriends or wives - they're there to support a man's journey.

- Ruth Bradley

Play, Think, I Think, Supporting

I live in trainers and baggy clothes, but on the red carpet, I either go for something very pretty from Temperley London or a structured Roland Mouret dress.

- Ruth Bradley

Dress, Pretty, Very, Structured

I didn't know my mother was an actress until I was eight and she went back to work. At an even younger age than that, I'd wanted to be an actress, so when I saw her, I clearly remember thinking, 'This is a strange coincidence.'

- Ruth Bradley

Thinking, Back, Clearly, Younger Age

I'm only ambitious in the sense that I want to work in as many different media as I can and to play characters which are different to me and to each other. I want to do work that frightens me or challenges me, be it in Dublin or Zimbabwe. I just want to be working.

- Ruth Bradley

Play, Other, Which, Frighten

In secondary school, I became aware of the idea of being cool, and that was a bit of a shell shock.

- Ruth Bradley

School, Aware, Became, Secondary

Very often, as an actress, there's some kind of stereotype, but with any good script, you should be able to swap the genders of all the characters, and it shouldn't make a huge difference.

- Ruth Bradley

Some, Very, Huge Difference, Stereotype

When I was filming in Budapest for ITV's 'Titanic,' I realised I'd never been to the ballet before so decided to see a production of 'Giselle.' I went on my own. As it was my first ballet, it was a very bizarre and interesting experience but very enjoyable.

- Ruth Bradley

Been, Very, Bizarre, Titanic

In any good piece of writing, it should be easy enough to switch genders.

- Ruth Bradley

Writing, Should, Piece, Switch

My job is not to be a supermodel.

- Ruth Bradley

Job, Supermodel

I never get recognised. I must have one of those forgettable faces, ha! And that's not a bad thing.

- Ruth Bradley

Never, Bad, Recognised, Faces

I did a film a few years ago where I gained a lot of weight for it. I was happy to do that because it was called for in the script.

- Ruth Bradley

Happy, Film, Weight, Gained

I think when you work with older actors, who are so good, it's rare that they are egotistical.

- Ruth Bradley

Work, Think, I Think, Egotistical

In an ideal world, we would be able to just swap characters' genders around because I don't ever wake up in the morning and think to myself, 'Oh I am such a woman today,' because that is just so ridiculous.

- Ruth Bradley

Woman, Wake Up, Around, Ideal World

I wouldn't do really gratuitous nudity. When I was in my late teens, you'd read stuff and be like, 'That character serves no purpose except being naked', so that would not be something I'd want to do. It's pointless for me.

- Ruth Bradley

Purpose, Naked, Teens, Gratuitous

You're not a combination of all your labels. You just are.

- Ruth Bradley

You, Just, Your, Combination

A friend of mine told me she's going to freeze her eggs, and I thought, 'Well, I also don't want to be a 55-year-old first time mother,' so you kind of just have to go with what happens.

- Ruth Bradley

Mother, Thought, Her, Freeze

On the Tube, you never see anyone looking you in your eye. They're all looking down at their screen.

- Ruth Bradley

Down, Screen, Your, Tube

In life, with my friends, I don't see them as male or female; I just see them as people.

- Ruth Bradley

See, Them, Female, Male

I really enjoy 'Mad Men,' but I'm hugely into 'Homeland.' The characters are very well drawn and complex.

- Ruth Bradley

Very, Homeland, Hugely, Complex

I love working in Dublin, but when I'm in London, I'm more focused on my career.

- Ruth Bradley

Love, Career, I Love, Dublin

If you're aware of a pattern, you can do something about it, and you can be aware of your own culpability. I like to think I can do that, but, like everyone else, I'm a work in progress.

- Ruth Bradley

Think, Everyone, Like, Everyone Else

All too often, female characters, in particular, aren't multi-layered enough.

- Ruth Bradley

Often, Characters, Too, Female Characters

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