Quote Of The Day By Jane Fonda: 'It's More Important To Be Interested Than...'

Jane Fonda has been a celebrity force for decades. The two-time Oscar winner has credits including "Barbarella," "Klute," and "9 to 5," and is also known for her TV roles on "Grace and Frankie" and "The Newsroom." She also gained notable attention in the '80s for her iconic workout videos. But this star, born in New York City in 1937, has never been one to stay quiet about her political and societal beliefs. 

Throughout her decades in the spotlight (Fonda's first acting credit was in the 1960 movie "Tall Story"), she's proven herself to be a staunch philanthropist and outspoken feminist. In the '70s, Fonda began her activism journey amid the Vietnam War, visiting North Vietnam to bring attention to the realities of what was going on there, outside of the American propaganda machine. "It brought meaning to my life. I could use my celebrity for a purpose greater than myself. It felt like I was coming home to where I was meant to be," she wrote on her website. 

Fonda, who has brought her activism to award shows multiple times, has repeatedly refused to back down, make herself smaller, or take the path of least resistance. She's never been afraid to boldly speak her truth, despite what others may think (that includes Fonda's frank comments on sex that helped break the stigma around intimacy and age). And that's why her inspiring words are today's quote of the day.

"Ask questions. Stay curious. It's much more important to stay interested than to be interesting" — Jane Fonda when receiving the Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 2014.

Considering Fonda's many years of philanthropy, this call to action is far from just empty words. Though the short quote (which isn't our first) may seem simple on the surface, it contains an important message about staying proactive and engaged with the world.

Jane Fonda's inspiring quote encourages people to never stop learning, never stop being inquisitive, and most importantly, to stay engaged with the world around them. Sometimes, it's easier to take the path of least resistance, and we can get too easily wrapped up in our own small worlds. That often means not staying informed and never proactively questioning or challenging the status quo, which could (either accidentally or intentionally) result in turning a blind eye to injustice. After all, knowledge is power.

The final sentence in Fonda's quote reminds us that what's important isn't outward perception, but internal intention. It doesn't matter if other people find you and your life exciting or aspirational, as long as you're still learning and expanding your horizons to become your best self. Put Fonda's poignant words of wisdom into action by learning something new every day, by going that extra mile to ask someone about themselves or their lifestyle, or by reading news stories, articles, or books that offer new information and perspectives you otherwise wouldn't have considered.

• "The most incredible beauty and the most satisfying way of life come from affirming your own uniqueness!"
• "Look what scares you in the face and try to understand it. Empathy, I have learned, is revolutionary."
• "They say you fall in love — well that image, fall in love. No, we should walk on our own two feet into a relationship with somebody walking toward us on their own two feet."
• "It's a toxic desire to try to be perfect. I realized later in life that the challenge is not to be perfect. It's to be whole."
• "If we can maintain the more positive feelings about the past, that becomes the new norm. It's like resetting a thermostat. It's not having experiences that makes us wise. It's reflecting on the experiences that we've had that makes us wise, and that helps us become whole, brings wisdom and authenticity. It helps us become what we might have been."