Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth. — Alan Watts | Printable Wall Art

“Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth.”

Words by Alan Watts (1915-1973) — British philosopher and writer on Eastern philosophy.

About this quote

Alan Watts uses a clear physical metaphor to illustrate the impossibility of absolute self-knowledge. Just as an eye cannot see itself directly, the mind cannot step outside itself to measure or define what it is. Watts suggests that human identity is fluid, and attempting to fix yourself into a static definition creates a futile loop.

Alan Watts popularised Eastern philosophy for Western audiences during the mid-twentieth century. This quote comes from his spoken lectures and written works of the 1950s and 1960s, where he frequently used physical metaphors to explain Eastern ideas about consciousness.

People often hang this print in a study or quiet bedroom as a gentle reminder to stop overthinking identity.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 19 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Script Whisper · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Night Script · Tracked Caps Unsigned

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.