How do you put a quote in the intro of a personal statement?

Question

it's for a writing class...

i'm putting the quote as the first thing in my essay, and then i don't know how to go on. the essay isn't centered around the quote or anything...it's just there to bring in my idea.

yeah...

Answer 1

Perhaps begin something like this:

I have been strongly influenced by the words of (name), who once said: (quote here).  (Now give examples of how those have influenced your ideas and thoughts.)