The art of love is largely the art of persistence.

- Albert Ellis

I thought foolishly that Freudian psychoanalysis was deeper and more intensive than other, more directive forms of therapy, so I was trained in it and practiced it.

- Albert Ellis

There's no evidence whatsoever that men are more rational than women. Both sexes seem to be equally irrational.

- Albert Ellis

We teach people that they upset themselves. We can't change the past, so we change how people are thinking, feeling and behaving today.

- Albert Ellis

People don't just get upset. They contribute to their upsetness.

- Albert Ellis

Rational beliefs bring us closer to getting good results in the real world.

- Albert Ellis

I would have liked having children to some degree, but frankly I haven't got the time to take the kids to the goddamn ballgame.

- Albert Ellis

There are three musts that hold us back: I must do well. You must treat me well. And the world must be easy.

- Albert Ellis

For that again, is what all manner of religion essentially is: childish dependency.

- Albert Ellis

By not caring too much about what people think, I'm able to think for myself and propagate ideas which are very often unpopular. And I succeed.

- Albert Ellis

People got insights into what was bothering them, but they hardly did a damn thing to change.

- Albert Ellis

You largely constructed your depression. It wasn't given to you. Therefore, you can deconstruct it.

- Albert Ellis

The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.

- Albert Ellis

As a result of my philosophy, I wasn't even upset about Hitler. I was willing to go to war to knock him off, but I didn't hate him. I hated what he was doing.

- Albert Ellis

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.

- Albert Ellis

People could rationally decide that prolonged relationships take up too much time and effort and that they'd much rather do other kinds of things. But most people are afraid of rejection.

- Albert Ellis

Most people would have given up when faced with all the criticism I've received over the years.

- Albert Ellis

If something is irrational, that means it won't work. It's usually unrealistic.

- Albert Ellis

In the old days we used to get more referrals, because people had insurance that paid for therapy. Now they belong to HMOs, and we can only be affiliated with a few HMOs.

- Albert Ellis

I hope to die in the saddle seat.

- Albert Ellis