We must take care of our families… but what if your family isn’t just the one you were born into? That’s the real power of this idea. It’s about expanding your definition of love and responsibility beyond traditional boundaries.
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Meaning
The core message is that “family” is not solely defined by blood or legal ties, but by the bonds of love, support, and mutual care we actively build wherever we find them.
Explanation
Look, we all get the traditional script. But this quote hits different because it acknowledges a deeper truth. It’s about recognizing the people who *show up* for you. Your chosen family. The friend who feels like a sister. The mentor who guided you like a father. It’s a call to action to pour your energy into those reciprocal, life-giving relationships. Because that network you consciously build? That’s your real ecosystem of support.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Relationship (329) |
| Topics | connection (265), family (5), social life (26) |
| Literary Style | simple (291), universal (14) |
| Emotion / Mood | compassionate (35), warm (182) |
| Overall Quote Score | 80 (256) |
Origin & Factcheck
This comes straight from Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006 memoir, Eat, Pray, Love. It’s a key insight she gains during her time in Indonesia. You sometimes see this sentiment floating around unattributed, but its true origin is firmly in Gilbert’s journey of self-discovery and the unconventional “family” she forms along the way.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Elizabeth Gilbert (39) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia (39) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Elizabeth Gilbert writes with clarity and heart about creativity, love, and self-discovery. After starting in magazines like GQ and The New York Times Magazine, she published Pilgrims, then broke out with Eat Pray Love, followed by Committed, The Signature of All Things, Big Magic, and City of Girls. Her 2009 TED Talk on creativity went viral and continues to inspire makers worldwide. She splits time between writing, speaking, and mentoring creative communities. For a full view of her work, see the
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | We must take care of our families wherever we find them |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2006; ISBN: 978-0-670-03471-0; Last edition: Penguin Books, 2010; Number of pages: 334. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 70, Indonesia section, Approximate page 273 from 2010 edition |