Our parents have always encouraged us to be independent and dream big.

- Jenna Bush

I do think imagination is enormously valuable, and that children should be encouraged in their imagination. That's very true.

- Richard Dawkins

The public made me and then encouraged me for many years, and my future even now depends upon it.

- Placido Domingo

You are damned and praised, or encouraged or discouraged by those who listen to you, and those who come to applaud you. And to me, those people are very important.

- Miriam Makeba

I think being in a band is probably the only job when you're actively encouraged to be out of it most of the time.

- Martin Gore

I was a very curious person because of my parents. They encouraged me to be as curious about as many things as I wanted.

- Martha Stewart

I think the reason working-class people don't write books is because they are encouraged to believe that only certain people are permitted to write books.

- Len Deighton

Modelling, fashion and film have all encouraged me to learn more about issues and to feel empowered enough to do something about them.

- Lily Cole

Thanks to everyone who's encouraged and supported my work over the years.

- Kate Bush

The people at MTV are encouraged to be very confrontational and declarative about their tastes.

- John Seabrook

When women are encouraged to be competitive, too many of them become disagreeable.

- Benjamin Spock

I'm very encouraged by millennials and their drive to make the world a better place.

- John Mackey

It really disturbs me that the environmental movement has been co-opted by creation-worshippers instead of being encouraged by the Creator-worshippers.

- Joel Salatin

Unlike a lot of actors, my father encouraged all his kids to go into show business.

- Jeff Bridges

It was Nate Monaster who encouraged me to be a writer.

- Gary David Goldberg

I was lucky because my mum was a teacher and showed me how to read and write. But most importantly, she encouraged me to use my imagination.

- Darren Shan

I think people should feel encouraged to be themselves.

- Dave Grohl

I was doing sketches that were funny but socially irresponsible. I felt I was deliberately being encouraged and I was overwhelmed.

- Dave Chappelle

My parents encouraged me in everything I ever wanted to do.

- Charles Kuralt

I was encouraged to read aloud in class and vocalize.

- Bob Edwards